Page 49 of Why Not Us?

“We haven’t decided yet. But at least Spencer, Derek, and I always go out for drinks on the last Saturday. We don’t get another free one until September.”

There’s a slight hesitation before he says, “You could invite them.”

I pause my sketch again. “You don’t want more people,” I say.

“Your friends are okay. I can manage a few extra. And I had fun with you at the last barbecue.”

That moment in Taylor’s kitchen flashes through my mind again, the way my whole body tingled just from the way his fingers felt in my hair. Then I wonder, is he saying I can invite my friends simply because he wantsmeto be there?

“I’ll ask them.”

I don’t say anything else for a minute, focused on the image that’s coming to life beneath my hand.

“What are you doing now?” Nate asks.

“Drawing something,” I say, and I know I sound distracted.

“What?”

I sit back, lifting my pencil from the canvas and taking the phone from where I’d rested it. There’s no way I can tell him what I just drew. It’s a very simple sketch so far. I’ll need to add a few more details before I get the paint out. But even in the early stage it is, I can clearly see what I’ve created. It’s an image of Nate, stretched out on his bed, one hand tucked beneath his head as he talks to me. It’s how I’m imagining him right now.

“Just a picture,” I say. “Maybe I’ll show you one day.”

“Are you going to keep going?”

“I don’t think so. I’m hopeful I can go lay down and actually fall asleep now.”

“You want me to stay on the phone?” he asks.

“For a minute? Tell me what your plans are for the week.”

He does, talking to me as I put away my things. I return my pencil to its drawer and clean my paint brushes and the tray I’d been using earlier, putting everything back in its designated place. All the while, I listen to him talk. Then I walk across my apartment and climb into bed, pulling the covers around me.

“Are you in bed now?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say, my voice soft.

“Good. Go to sleep, princess.”

“Nate?”

“Hm?”

“Maybe we can talk again tomorrow night?”

He’s quiet for a moment. “I’d like that. Good night, Adalie.”

My eyes drift closed after I hang up the phone, sleep claiming me as my busy mind quiets with the knowledge that I’ll talk to him tomorrow.

Chapter 16

Nate

The nervous knock on my front door tells me who’s there. I swing it open and take her in, dressed unusually in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. The jeans are embroidered with flowers and the shirt is a deep purple, so she’s still vibrant. She’s pulled her wild hair back into a soft ponytail, showing off the worried look on her face.

“Are you sure I didn’t need to bring anything?” she asks.

I chuckle as I lead her inside.

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