Page 36 of Ink & Stardust

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It is what it is.” He shrugs. “She was a great girl, but it’s not like I was in love with her or anything.”

“I know. I just... I’m just sorry, is all.”

“Don’t be.” He smiles, seeming completely unfazed by the whole thing. Truth be told, he’s probably relieved. Refer to my previous statement about commitment issues. “Speaking of the opposite sex, want to tell me who that guy was last night?”

My stomach twists at the mention of Kai.

I’ve tried not to think about the things he said to me last night, but I’d be lying if I said they haven’t been playing on constant repeat in my head since he walked out of my dorm room.

“What guy?” I act like I have no idea who he’s talking about.

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know exactly who I’m talking about. The one whose bones you looked like you were about to jump before Charlotte and I interrupted you.”

“One, don’t ever saybonesandjumpin the same sentence to me again.” I tick up a finger. “And two, that is not what was happening.” I tick up a second finger.

“Oh, that’s most certainly what was happening.” He interrupts before I can make my third point.

I drop my hand altogether.

“You misread the situation.”

“Well, clearly, there wassomethinggoing on.”

“He’s just some guy who likes to push my buttons. That’s all it is.”

“If you say so.” He gives me a look that says he doesn’t buy it for a second.

“I do say so.” I take a drink of my own coffee, trying to seem completely at ease.

“Just be careful.” The way he lowers his voice gives me pause. “Something tells me he’s not the kind of guy you want to get tangled up with.”

“What makes you say that?” Curiosity wins out over my need for denial and deflection.

“Let’s just call it a gut feeling.” He pushes away his plate, which he cleared of all food within minutes. Meanwhile, mine still sits in front of me with half a stack of pancakes that I’m not even going to attempt to eat any more out of fear that I might explode.

“Well, I don’t have any interest in him, so it doesn’t matter anyway.”

Lies. Lies. All lies.

How can I say I have no interest in him when he’s all I’ve been able to think about for weeks? Hell, basically since the first night we met. He’s consumed my thoughts to the point that not even sleep can offer me any relief. It’s there that my inhibitions are stripped away and I can’t hide, not even from myself.

“Just be careful,” he says anyway.

“I will.” I take another sip of my coffee, checking the time on my phone. “Is it really already eleven?”

“Is it?” He finishes off his coffee in one drink. “Shit, I better get going if I want to make it home at a decent hour.”

“I hate that you have to leave already.” I pout.

“I know, me too. But I’ll see you at Thanksgiving.”

“That’s still over a month away.”

“It’ll be here before you know it.”

“I guess,” I grumble, scooting out of the booth. My brother follows and throws away his disposable cup before we make our way outside.

---