Page 135 of Meet Me at the Metro

“I’m not eating those beans, Teddy!”

“Oh, you are,” I chuckle as I spoon a hearty helping for her to taste. “Open that mouth of yours for me, pretty thing.”

“Tempting me with a good time?”

“Trouble. Bloody trouble,” I say with a bashful shake of my head. Onlyshewould have the power to make me bashful. I press the silver spoon against her lips and order,“Open.”

“Screw you.”

“You can after you take a bite,” I compromise. “Just one, and I’ll let you do that as much as you’d like.”

“One bite. That’s all.”

“I promise you, baby,” I laugh. “One bite and I’ll leave you alone.”

“That’s not what I want.”

“Then I’ll bug the hell out of you.”

It takes several moments for her to find the courage to take the bite, and when she finally does, her lackluster expression tells me everything I need to know.

“You like them,” I smile.

She licks her supple pink lips and lies, “Do not.”

I grasp her chin between my fingers, forcing her to look me in the eyes as she licks them again. This time, the sight of it sends my head spinning. I scoop up another spoonful, and when I lead it to her mouth, she takes another bite without hesitancy.

“You’re a terrible liar.” I push up from the bed and stand, sliding the plate closer toward her. “Eat, pretty thing. I don’t want it to get cold.”

She eagerly snatches a piece of tomato from the plate and takes a bite as I stalk toward the bathroom to shower.

Mouth full, she calls out, “Will you think about it? The orchestra.”

I halt in the doorway, leaning against the open pane as I turn to face her.

Nora’s unearthly beautiful, and it’s beyond her stunning appearance—it’s her whole essence. Her kindness, her perceptiveness, her playfulness, her hopefulness...

So much uncertainty clouds my mind as I consider her request. I’d love nothing more than an excuse to have a front-row seat to watch Nora perform and witness her in her element. It’s just that doing so would come with a price that I’m not so sure I’m ready to pay.

I’m suddenly becoming aware that since the moment I met this girl, she’s set out to test my limits—intentional or not.

I never liked having those limits tested.

Until her.

I huff out a frustrated breath, mumbling a quick, “I’ll think about it,” before I start the shower and step into the scalding stream of water.

And I think about it… As I get showered. As I get dressed. As Nora and I walk out the front door. As we ride the train to the school. As I walk her to her morning class. As I head across campustoward the music room. As I practice for hours and hours, playing the piano’s keys until my fingers are sore and practically aching.

The whole day, I can’t quit thinking about it.

35

HATEFUL INTRODUCTIONS

E L L I E

“Stop that, Ellie-Jellie,” Harvey softly reprimands, swatting my hands away from my mouth. “You’re going to ruin your nail beds by biting them like that.”

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