Page 42 of Little Do You Know

“You’re probably right. I don’t know. How’s your man? Are you excited for your trip?” I deflect, noting how Owen’s gaze flicks up to watch her. He likes her. The least he could do is be a little less obvious about it.

She hesitates, staring at her computer. “I don’t know. I bought the ticket, but he’s been acting weird. I’m not sure if I have time to go anymore; a lot is coming up in my classes.”

I feel bad having this conversation in front of Owen, but I’m done talking about Vera. “I’m sure Thomas just misses you. Distance is hard, but taking even a few days to see him could be exactly what you need.”

Blake smiles appreciatively at me. “Now I’m the one overthinking it. I’m sure you’re right.”

I clap my hands excitedly. “So, Owen?”

“What do you want?” He’s staring intently at his textbook, pretending he doesn’t care that Blake is supposed to be flying across the country to visit her boyfriend in a few days.

“How do you know I want something?”

“Because you always want something. What is it?”

I let his comment roll off my shoulders. We were just talking about my friend’s boyfriend, who is also the girl he likes. I don’t blame Owen for being a little snippy now. I feel bad for him. It sucks wanting someone you can’t have. “Can I borrow your truck tomorrow?”

Owen laughs in disbelief, his brown eyes widening. “I’m sorry, you want to drive my baby tomorrow after making fun of her a few minutes ago? That’s some twisted logic there.”

“Please? I promise next time we go home, I’ll grab my car and bring it back. Then you don’t have to worry about me asking to drive your precious baby. Just this one time?” I plead, slipping an extra bit of sweetness in my voice.

“You can borrow her under the condition that she comes back unscathed.”

“I’d never dream of hurting her.” Honestly, it’s more likely to be the other way around. I’m worried hitting a pothole will set off the airbags and break my face.

“How do you say tree?” Blake asks, and I chuckle as I type the next sentence in my essay.

“Arbre. Grimpe-le comme un arbre.”

I can’t help but giggle after the example I used. It describes perfectly what I did with Sebastian a few days ago, with the bonus neither of them can understand me beyond the word tree. However, Blake gives me a look that tells me she’s pretty sure she knows exactly what I said. Oh fuck, I did tell her what Penelope suggested I do. I forgot about that.

“The spelling bee is getting annoying. Give it up, Blake,” Owen says, jotting more notes onto his homework.

She rolls her eyes to my amusement. “After you give up your beard.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Sebastian

THALIA IS LEANING against Owen’s truck when I approach the small lot. I recognize this place from Mimi bringing me here when I was younger. The frown on Thalia’s face makes it abundantly clear about what kind of mood she’s in, not that I can blame her. I’d be pissed if I were in the situation she found herself in. Selfishly, I’m glad Owen couldn’t come, and he asked me to go instead, because she’s been avoiding me like the plague.

Her blonde hair is pulled back into some braid, and her camera hangs from her neck. “I think the boots sell the outfit.” I can’t help but tease, trying to lighten the mood. Thalia rolls her eyes, and I’m shocked they’re not stuck at the back of her head by now.

“Owen’s stupid truck crapped out on me. Figures,” Lia responds tightly, ignoring my comment. I walk up to her, and defiantly, she stands her ground. I don’t miss the sharp intake of her breath when I reach past Thalia to grab her bag from the back of the truck. It makes me feel less crazy for not being able to get her out of my mind.

“Did you get anything good today?” I ask after stepping away, giving her space again.

“Actually, I did. I was in a pretty good mood until I realized I was right about my brother’s pride and joy being two starts from breaking. Certainly put a real damper on my day.” She blows a piece of hair out of her face. “I thought I called Owen to come pick me up?”

I shrug, trying to play it cool when I’m actually a nervous wreck around her. “And he called me. Said he had something going on.” He was at Amelia’s, but I’m not supposed to say anything about it to Thalia.

Thalia looks uneasy. “Do we wait for the tow or…?”

“Yeah. Did they say how long it would be?” I ask her, leaning against the bed of Owen’s truck.

“I called them right after I called Owen, so it’ll hopefully only be a half hour at the most,” she says, moving past me to drop the tailgate and climbing into the bed. “You’re welcome to stand, but I feel it’ll probably be longer. There’s plenty of room.”

I still do my best to give her space because she’s been avoiding me for a few days now, but my leg ends up pressed against hers.I don’t know what I did to make her act this way around me. I’ve been trying to figure out what I said wrong that day, but it doesn’t make sense to me. Lia was happy and relaxed, but then she wasn’t.

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