Page 29 of Mixing Drinks For Tipsy Weasels

I echo the gesture back to her, getting a groan from Sami in response.

"Seriously?"

"What?" I ask him. "You said you wanted time with D, so me and Erica spent time together."

"Yes, I know that. I'm more commenting on the fact you're so clearly into her."

"I'm not," I protest.

"Mmmhmm, of course you're not. And you said I was the one with an obvious crush. You can't stop looking at her, the two of you are seeking one another out when you can, and don't think I didn't notice that you took care of her when she was accidentally drunk."

"We're old friends," I insist.

"Other than the part where you weren't," Sami responds. "I'm not saying there's anything wrong with crushing on Erica. I like her, she's sweet even if she did do whatever it was to you."

"She lost my bouncy ball," I say. "But she got me a new one." Without intending to, I pull out the ball Erica gave me, running it between my fingers.

"And you just happened to bring it with you tonight?"

"It matches my bow tie." I hold it up to illustrate my point.

"A crush might be too weak of a word," Sami says. "You sound like you're way further gone than just a crush."

I'm about to reject what he's saying again, but pause and consider how I'm feeling instead. There's no doubt that I want to spend more time with Erica, and that I've been thinking of things that I haven't really thought of when it comes to her before, but that doesn't mean I want more. Does it?

"Oh."

Sami laughs. "Caught up, have you?"

"Idolike Erica like that."

"Yep, very obviously so."

"Do you think she knows?" I ask.

"Yes and no," he responds cryptically.

I narrow my eyes at my friend. "Spill."

"Well, her body language says she's into it, but she's probably having some of the same thoughts you are about the fact that you're not friends because of some bouncy ball. So I'd say she's also probably in a bit of denial about it. On the other hand, D saw her chatting with that succubus from the cheer squad earlier, and if they're friends, then there's a chance she's told her."

"Which one is the succubus from the cheer squad?"

"Dark hair, deep purple dress, looks like she has an entire back tattoo," Sami says.

"I know who you mean," I say, recognition falling into place. "They're in a study group together, Erica said they're friends."

"In which case, I'd bet she already knows you're into her."

Conflicting feelings fill me. It's not that Idon'twant Erica to know, it's more that I'm not really sure what to do with the whole situation.

"What do I do?" I ask Sami.

"I guess that depends. If you want to go back to being mad at her all the time, then do nothing."

"And if I don't?" And I already know that I don't want that. It's been nice having her back in my life and I don't want to let her go again.

"Then you should stop talking about this with me and start talking about it with her."

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