Page 144 of Between the Lines

“Only slightly dirtier than what you write!” I fail to cover for myself, and what I’ve read online in my spare time. Penelope sighs.

“I have a deadline to hit by the end of the summer and so far, they have reestablished that they’re enemies, and that’s about it.”

“Have you ever had writer’s block like this before?”

“No.” She shakes her head, her expression softening to desperate disbelief. “No, the ideas have been like, steadily flowing since my first book with Bea and Ezra. It’s like someone threw up a damn wall as soon as I…”

Her lips remain parted, and a kaleidoscope plays in her blue eyes as realization sparks. I see the moment it hits her, the moment her mouth snaps shut, and the moment she has to swallow down the truth that I infer all too easily.

Ant.

I reach my hand across the student desks that we’ve taken over and squeeze hers.

“Hey,” I say softly. “Whenever you want to talk about him, you know we’re all here, right?”

She nods, tight-lipped, then shakes her head.

“Distract me. Tell me about how much of a freak my boss is in the sheets.”

I canfeelthe blood drain from my face, and she tips her head back in a shout of laughter.

“I knew it!”

“Youwantedto know it?!”

I stand to toss my own trash in an attempt to dissipate the awkwardness.

“Not until I found out you were also involved. C’mon. You brought up my tortured past. It’s only fair that you have to make me forget about it.”

I sigh as I sit back down. “I don’t know, honestly. Things have been…weirdthese past few weeks.”

I pick at the peeling sticker on my Stanley.

“Weird how?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Ever since I told him that you knew…”

I flick my gaze up, watching Penelope’s short breath settle into concern.

“Before you say anything, it’s not your fault. He just has a lot going on right now.”

She blows out a breath and shakes her head.

“Lady, I’ve heard it all before. Please take care of yourself.”

“I am. We just… We haven’t had the time to talk, you know? We were sneaking around, and now that I’m picking up extra basketball games and he’s…” I shake my head. “We just have to find the time to talk.”

“Well, do it sooner rather than later. Do you have basketball tonight?”

I nod. “But it’s a close game. Maybe I’ll just drive myself and head to his place later to surprise him?”

Penelope still looks skeptical about the whole thing, and I guess I don’t blame her. Am I really that naïve? Has he been playing me this whole time? I can’t exactly lay outeverythingand get her advice, but I can give her a few pieces.

“Did I tell you what he got me for Christmas?”

“Oh, you two didChristmas?” she asks, crossing her arms and lifting her brow in intrigue. “Do tell.”

“He’s taking me on a trip. During spring break.”

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