Page 125 of Old Acquaintances

“It took me months to learn to do this with mymother. You’re a professional. You’d pick up the salsa in thirty minutes.”

My shirt rose under his rough fingertips, and I let him pull me close, surrendering to his lead, unconcerned with the short distance between our flesh. I remember how quiet everything was around us, even with the television and the air conditioner buzzing. I had to tell myself to control the sound of my breath and the noises that I made because I desperately enjoyed having him so close to me.

He narrowed his eyes and leaned toward my face. “See, she had to know the friend was in love with her. It’s in the eyes. You can always tell when someone has burning passion in their eyes.”

I pushed his face away.

“Like how I can always tell when you’re cold.” His eyes dragged down my body.

I let go of his hand and sucked in air. “Not always,” I shrugged.

Like right now. I wasn’t cold whenever his hot hands touched me. I tried to focus on the movie and not on the inchesbetween us, the way he kept glancing at the thin fabric draped over my body.

Tucker moved back to the bed, watching me adjust my shirt. I started, “So, um, what are you doing after you graduate? You have a summer semester left, right?” I climbed back onto the mattress.

“Yeah.” He focused on the screen and wiped chip dust off his leg. “I actually think I’m going to move to Savannah.”

I pretended that I’d just heard that information. “Oh, how come?”

He lifted a shoulder. “I’ve kind of been talking to my grandparents.”

“What?” I turned my head.

“Yeah, they, uh, reached out to my mom a few months ago.”

“Wow.”

“I guess they figure she’s married to a nice guy now so she’s worthy of their attention.” He rubbed his face, and I could see the turmoil. “They offered me money. My mom said I should take it.”

I knew how hard it had been growing up without a family. The first few years of Tucker’s life had been challenging for them, with Lori being so young and her parents completely shutting her out. I tucked my leg in and turned to him. “Youshouldtake it. It’s the very least they can do.”

He scowled. “Is that shitty, though? Shouldn’t I write them off completely for being horrible to my mom?”

“Does the money come with strings attached?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Then take their money and run.” I took one of his chips. “Lots of people have to put up with shitty parents and horrible childhoods and they still get an inheritance. That’s not really much different than your situation.”

He was quiet.

I asked, “What is in Savannah?”

“My grandfather has this really old house. He said I could have it.”

“To fix it up?”

“Yeah.”

“And then…?”

He tucked his arm behind his head and leaned against the headboard. “Maybe flip it. I like fixing old things. Working on a project. Using my hands.” He squeezed my thigh, and I jolted.

“Elijah!”

He moved his hand and snickered.

“Such a boy,” I muttered. I sat up and untied the ribbon from my hair.

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