As if I would ever repeat that mistakeagain.
“Since I have a feeling you won’t do that,I’ll make sure to text you as soon as I start reading the book. I’ll let youknow what I think.”
“You’re not going to let it go, are you?”
His grin grew bigger. “Not a chance inhell, little one.”
After he said goodbye to Lucy, he looked atme one more time. Then, cupping my face yet again, he pressed an unexpectedkiss on my forehead, rendering me completely speechless.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said, and then hewas gone.
“Now,” Lucy started as she hooked her arm inmine and started dragging me toward our building. “I’m gonna hold my tongueuntil we take those stairs up, get in your room, close your door, and lay nextto each other on that bed. That should give both of us enough time to take inwhat just happened. However, when our hearts finally stop going haywire overthat fine piece of ass, you’ll answer every single question I ask. Is thatunderstood? Nod if it is.”
I nodded.
***
“Wait a minute. He pulled you out of themeeting? But did you say yes before he dragged you out? Is this awesome moviehappening or not?”
I was just as baffled as she was. “It lookslike it is.”
We were sitting next to each other on mybed, facing the window that looked out to an already darkening sky. My room wasonly big enough to fit a queen bed and a small closet/dresser, but since my bedwas slightly bigger than her full one, it was our regular meeting spot for latenight talks and snacks.
“And why are we not more excited about thishuge, huge life-changing thing? You’re kinda making it sound like it’s nothing.”
“Seeing Jason eclipsed that little nugget.Oh, Lucy.” Closing my eyes, I sighed and fell back onto my pillows. “I actedlike a total idiot. I was mortified when I saw him walk in that door, but thenwhy did I feel that rush when he grabbed me by my hand, or when he looked at meas if he was really seeing me? Why did…” I struggled to find the right words. “Whydid my heart feel like it was burning?” I threw my arm over my eyes andreleased a sigh. “But then I remembered how much it hurt to read what he thoughtof me that night, and I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I called him Mr.Jason Thorn for crying out loud! I made a complete fool of myself in frontof everyone.”
Lucy gently lay down next to me and Iopened my eyes to look into her stormy gray ones.
“But the waterfall trick worked, didn’t it?You were all calm and collected until Hotness Overload walked in and yourovaries exploded along with your heart.”
I smiled. “That’s one way to put it, Iguess.”
“Do you still love him?” she asked after along beat of silence.
I chuckled. “Along with millions of otherwomen. Who doesn’t love Jason Thorn?” Lucy ignored my answer and pointedly keptlooking at me until I gave up. “He is not the same kid who slept right acrossfrom my room, Lucy. I’m not in love with him like that any more.”
“I don’t believe you, my green Olive.” Shebopped my nose with her fingertip.
“It doesn’t matter whether you do or not. Idoubt I’ll see him again any time soon.” I patted her arm. “Don’t worry though,I’ll take you to see his next movie. You can still salivate while you arewatching his abs. Isn’t that coming out like next month?”
After seeing and talking to him again afterso many years, wouldn’t it be a solid kick in my stomach when I saw him kisshis costar? And right when I was starting to get used to seeing him in a liplock.
She sighed. “No, still two months away. Andanyway, it’s not the same as seeing him face to face. Do you think he would’vetaken his shirt off if you’d asked nicely? I’m forever ruined after seeing himshow that dimple to you and then kiss your freaking forehead. If I didn’t knowyou still loved him—”
“I don’t love him.”
“I would’ve jumped on him and quitepossibly licked that dimple while my hands accidentally wandered to placesevery girl would give their firstborn to get a peek at.” She did a whole bodyshudder.
“Ahh, don’t be disgusting.” I made a funnyface at her. “And don’t do that to any guy when I’m around, please.”
“Why? Licking is a natural urge. When youthink of it, you actually start to learn how to lick properly when you are justkid. All those lollies and ice creams you licked to death? That was justtraining. Do you think he wouldn’t love it if you licked his dimple and letyour hands roam around for bit?”
“He sees me as his sister, Lucy. Of coursehe wouldn’t like having my tongue anywhere near his face, or my hand for thatmatter.”
“Says who?”
“Says every guy who’s had a best friend’slittle sister fall in love with him. When you think about it, it actually doessound a little annoying. There he is trying to have a family moment, which hedidn’t get at his own home, and there I am popping up wherever he goes,sticking to him like a glue. He was just nice enough not to say anything to myface.”