Page 13 of Forget Me Not

And it’s about to get even better. We’re having lunch together. And we’re going on a date. I have a date with Reed McAllister.A date with destiny. I grin at my own silly thoughts. Then I remember what Mags said about the people we connect with in life, the ones we share an instant tie to. People we’re fated to meet. Soulmates. Maybe she was onto something. Maybe Reed was too.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Tonight’s the big night, huh?” Gun asks from behind my closet door. One of the hinges is giving him a hard time.

“Yeah.” I crawl off my bed and head over to give him a hand. “You know, this really isn’t necessary. I’m not a kid anymore, I know better than to lock myself into the closet now.”

He ignores me and pops the door out of the frame. “Where’s he taking you?”

I step out of his way and watch him take the door out into the hall along with the other he already removed. When he comes back in, he rolls my desk chair over and has a seat, straddling it and patiently waiting for me to answer his previous question regarding my date.

My initial response is to begin pacing. This hasn’t gotten any less weird since the first conversation we had about Reed. Or the second, when I told him about the date and he informed it was basically him or Reed. The two could never mix, because apparently, Reed is too insecure to date a girl who has guy friends. I have yet to determine whether this is true or not. I’m not in any rush to find out either way.

“Which one of us is making you nervous? Him or me?” Gun raises his brow, his lips tight in a smirk.

“I’m not nervous.”

“Liar.”

I cross my arms and stomp my way back to my bed, mostly because it means he can’t see my face while I do. If the steam coming through my pores is any indication, it’s beet red.

“Excuse me for being a little excited about my date. In case you forgot, this whole all American high school experience complete with the football star wanting to go out with me, is a little outside of the norm for me.”

“Got it.” He nods, wrists draped casually over the back of the chair, “It’s me.”

I scowl. “Why would you make me nervous?!”

“Beats me, but I’m clearly making you uncomfortable.”

I sigh. “Do you really want to hear about my date or do you just enjoy making me look stupid?”

His eyes narrow as he studies me. Gun’s good at that. Too good. I kind of hate it sometimes. Mostly because I’m never really sure what he’s looking for, or worse, what he finds.

“I want to hear about your date,” he says, sounding so genuine I almost believe him. Until he smiles. Then I know he’s faking it, because Gun is stingy with smiles. He wouldn’t blow one on Reed or anything even remotely related to him. But, he’s faking for my sake, so I oblige.

“He’s taking me to some little French bistro on the water. He said it’s beautiful and the food is amazing. Apparently, they have these Nutella Strawberry crepes for dessert? Anyway, he seems to think I’ll love it.” What he’s basing this on, I don’t know, but so far Reed has only evoked the most pleasant sensations and emotions inside me, so I’m feeling optimistic.

“French. Like, escargot?” The smile is gone, replaced by the standard half-smirk.

“I’ll probably pass on those,” I admit.

“And have raspberries in your crepes,” he adds.

“Definitely.” Raspberries are my favorite.

“Any thoughts on what you’re doing after food?”

“Why? You’re not planning on crashing the party, are you?” Horrible imagery unveils in my mind’s eye. “Or stalking us? I’m serious, Gun! I better not cross paths with you or Ed the whole night!”

He makes a face and I imagine him laughing at me internally. “Ed and I have plans. Mr. B is taking a bunch of us bowling. Trust me, we won’t be anywhere near your date.” He rolls his chair closer over to the bed until he’s right in my face. “Doesn’t mean I don’t still want access to the itinerary though.”

My brow furrows skeptically. “Why?”

“It’s a guy thing.”

“Bullshit. It’s a Gun thing. You’re being all controlling and overprotective, and this time, you have no reason to.”

“I always have reason to.”

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