Page 8 of His Daring Girl

Presley doesn’t even knock when we get up to the door; she walks right inside. I’ve never been to a party before, so I don’tknow what standard etiquette is, but it feels wrong to be entering his home unannounced. That said, with all the music and people milling about, I doubt they would’ve heard the doorbell anyway.

My eyes scan the room and when I see people looking in my direction, my stomach gets tighter. People are looking at me like they don’t even know who I am, as if they’re seeing me for the first time. Maybe the fact that I didn’t wear my glasses tonight is throwing them off. I was trying not to look like a dork so I put my contacts in, but now I don’t have the safety of my lenses to protect me from peering eyes.

“Hi, Ruby!” Kyler’s voice grabs my attention. I turn, trying to swallow down my nerves. “I’m glad you came tonight.”

“Hi, Kyler.” I wave like the dork I am. “Thank you for inviting me.” I don’t even know how to act or what to say. This is foreign territory.

“My pleasure, girl.” He smiles. “And I have to say, you look really pretty.” He turns toward Presley. “You both do.”

I feel the heat hit my cheeks. No one has ever said I look pretty. I know Kyler’s all in when it comes to Presley so it’s nothing more than a kind compliment, but it makes me feel better about the outfit Presley dressed me in.

“Here, let me give you the tour.” He takes Presley’s hand and shows us around Chase’s house. For them being just friends, they sure are acting like a couple. I follow behind, trying not to make eye contact with the other kids. I think almost every senior from our school is here, yet it doesn’t feel packed.

We walk from room to room, and the shock keeps coming. There’s an indoor basketball court and a ginormous gym, which I’m guessing is the reason Chase is able to stay in such incredible shape during the offseason. He’s pure muscle. Broad shoulders. A tall, stocky stature, yet it’s all sculpted strength.

We come to the next room, and I can’t believe my eyes. It’s like a fairy tale come true. He has his very own library withbeautifully carved shelves stacked floor to ceiling with books. I’ve never seen so many in my life. There are more in here than in our public library. Wow. It’s incredible.

“Hey, you guys!”

I turn at the sound of Chase’s voice. He comes strutting up to us, looking better than he ever has before. He’s wearing a fitted black shirt and jeans. It’s such a simple outfit, yet he looks hot. His light brown hair has been styled back, and his smile is so handsome. When his eyes run down my body, it almost feels as if he’s checking me out. The butterflies start going haywire in my stomach, and my fingers twist together nervously.

“Hey, man!” Kyler says. “I was just showing the girls around your place.”

“Your house is amazing, Chase.” Presley beams. “I don’t ever think I’ve been in a house so big.”

“Me neither.” I shake my head, looking around the room. “This library is incredible. What are all these books?”

Chase shrugs. “I don’t really know. My mom is the collector. Reading is her favorite pastime.”

That’s so awesome. I don’t know why, but I’d pictured his mom to be a tennis player who spends her days at the country club. I never imagined she would devote her time to reading.

“It’s mine too.” I smile.

“Then maybe you can tell me what some of these books are?”

Wow. He’s asking me to show him the books? I don’t even know what to think.

“Can we go get something to drink while they’re touring the library?” Presley turns to Kyler.

She’s trying to leave me alone with him, which makes me nervous. But when I see the look on Chase’s face, like he’s happy they’re leaving us alone together, my nerves settle.

“Sure thing. Ruby, do you want us to bring you anything?”

Kyler’s voice is like a distant echo to all the thoughts swirling in my mind. To be noticed is one thing. To be looked at like I’m pretty feels unreal. And for the boy who I have a crush on to be looking at my mouth like he wants to kiss me, I feel like I’m having a dream. “I’m good.” I finally get my answer out.

Their footsteps retreat from the room, and then it’s just the two of us. Me and Chase. Me and the cutest boy at our school.

“So, you like to read?” His deep voice reminds me that I’m still staring at him. I quickly turn toward the books, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.

“Couldn’t you tell?” I tease, running my fingers across the shelf, glancing over the titles. It’s all I ever do. Read my books. Get lost in fictional worlds where anything can happen. I only like books with happy endings though. I want to believe that everyone finds love.

“Yeah. Don’t think I’ve ever seen you without one in your hand.”

His low chuckle has me smiling. He looks so handsome when he smiles. But he didn’t do that much when he was with Cassie. He jokes around in class, is always laughing with his friends, but when he was with Cassie, his spirit looked a little dimmer.

“It brings me comfort,” I tell him, turning back to the books again. I need to stop staring at him. It’s going to creep him out.

“I’m really sorry for what happened at school today.”

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