Page 42 of Anyone But Her

"Yeah. I was just doing some reading that's due tomorrow."

"If you need to go, I understand."

"Um, no, it's fine. I can talk."

My homework can wait. I need to talk to Luke. I didn't think he'd call but now that he has, this is my chance to figure out what exactly we're doing.

"Were you just calling to say hi?" I ask.

"Not just that."

"Then what? Why'd you call?"

"I want to see you again."

I pause. "Luke, what we did yesterday was—"

"A mistake? I disagree. And I know you don't really believe it was a mistake."

"It doesn't matter. Even if I wanted this it would never work. We don't live in the same town."

"We could find a way to see each other."

"How?"

Why am I even asking the question? We can't do this. I shouldn't even be considering it.

"I'll drive up there to see you. Or I'll get a cheap flight. I'll find a way. I promise."

"Luke, just forget it. We need to forget yesterday ever happened."

"I can't do that. I like you too much to just let it end."

"It has to. My dad would never allow us to date and Cal wouldn't speak to you again. He wouldn't speak to ME again."

"You don't know that. You're just guessing. Has he ever come out and told you to stay away from me?"

"No, but he doesn't have to. I already know he'd be angry if I went out with you."

"Like I told you yesterday, Cal doesn't have to know. Neither does your dad."

"You want me to lie to my family?"

"It's not really a lie. We're just not telling them. Not yet. We don't need to. As of now, we're just friends."

"Friends who kiss."

He chuckles. "Okay, maybe we're more than friends but they don't need to know that yet. Let's just try this, Taylor."

"Try what? I don't even know what we're talking about here."

"Let's try getting to know each other. Let's talk on the phone every night. And if I'm able to get up there, I will."

I guess I could talk to him. That wouldn't be wrong, would it?

"Okay, we'll talk on the phone but I don't want you coming up here, at least not anytime soon. I need time to think about this."

"Can I send you flowers?"

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