Page 13 of Falling

“I—” I stop myself because I was not expecting her to catch up with my humor so quickly. I just smile. “I accept your challenge. But I’m not getting you a romance novel. You can read agoodbook.”

“You mean a hockey player's autobiography?” she asks.

“Yes, Wren, a hockey player’s autobiography is what I consider to be a good book.”

Her head quirks. “See, it sounds sarcastic, but I really don’t think you’re joking.”

I frown. “I-I’m not joking. The McDavid Effect changedmy life.”

“Of course it did.”

“Just let me buy you your books, princess, and stop arguing with me.”

I hook my arm around her shoulder, leading us out of the romance section, but she’s still got a ton of books in her basket, which she’s probably going to force me to read. “Miles?” she asks, turning to look up at me.

“Mm-hmm?”

“You do know that all books at libraries are free, right?”

My eyes widen. “Are you kidding me? I was going to brag to all my friends about how I treated you to books and food.”

She snorts, the most unladylike sound I’ve ever heard. God, I could get drunk on it. “Next time, you can take me to an actual bookstore. Then I can spend all of your money.”

I smirk. “Sounds like a date if I’ve ever heard one, Wrenny.”

6

WREN

HOT COMMODITY

After Miles getsme an autobiography of some hockey player I’ve never heard of, and I give him one of my favorite romance book recommendations, our deal has commenced. I never expected to agree to talking to him orseeinghim more after today, but he’s not bad company.

I’ve found it exceptionally hard to make friends at college. I’ve always been so busy with my classes and practice that I’ve never really ventured out of my circle with Kennedy and Scarlett. I’m too exhausted to go out and make friends, and the fear of rejection has made me want to hide myself from everyone forever. Sometimes, being friends with Scarlett and Kennedy makes me wonder why I’d bother trying to make other friends in the first place.

Miles and I end up in an old 50s-style diner not too far from my apartment and the library. Weirdly, I’ve had a really good time today. Talking to him feels easy. There’s no pressure attached to it. There’s no weight on my shoulders that I have to mold myself into fitting into the perception of myself that he’s probably conjured up in his head. I can be myself around him and talk his ear off about books he’s never going to read. It’sweird how easily he’s inserted himself into my life and how natural it all feels. I can’t remember the last time I made a friend, and whatever we have going on is nice. Comforting.

I take another bite of the burger my mom would murder me for eating as Miles asks, “So, tell me, Wren, did I absolutely rock your world today, or what?”

I study him as I chew, watching the way he covers the entirety of his fries in ketchup before shoving them in his mouth. “I’ve had worse dates,” I say.

“If this is the best date you’ve ever been on, you can easily just say that.”

“Icould,” I say, lifting one shoulder, “but I’m not going to.” He groans dramatically, pushing his brown hair out of his face. He mutters something to himself before stuffing his face with more food. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why did you go to the pole dancing class when it wasn’t part of your terms for winning the bet? You only would have had to go ifIwon, and we wouldn’t be sitting here if that was the case,” I explain. It’s been bugging me for the last few days. I don’t know any other person who would willingly put himself through that humiliation unless he had a good reason.

His mouth tugs into a grin. “Did you smile?”

“What?”

“When I sent you the video,” he explains, “did you smile when you saw it? Or, dare I say, laugh?”

I snort. “Yeah, I laughed. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.”

He leans back, crossing his arms against his chest. “Well, there you go.”

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