Page 56 of Study Buddies

“Nope.”

“Or frat party?”

Kyle grinned. “They can do without me for one night.” He leaned against the counter next to me. “I had a long week. This uptight chick who’s tutoring me wouldn’t let me rest until my damn paper was done.”

“You actually got it uploaded before midnight?” I was pretty sure I was beaming with pride.

“Sure did. Did you?”

“Yep.”

“Then I’d say you both deserve a beer,” Jayden said. I turned to him guiltily—for a moment, I’d forgotten he was there. “I’ll text Lucas and tell him it’s time.” Lucas was sorting through more of his great aunt’s stuff in the basement.

“Time for what?” Kyle asked.

“Movie night,” I said. “That’s why I made these.”

Kyle rolled his eyes. “First it was study group. Now it’s movie night. Can’t you people plan an evening without naming it first?”

I shot him a smile. “I’ll tell you on Random Questions Night.”

Jayden laughed. “Lucas will be up in a minute. Are you joining us?” he asked Kyle.

Kyle cocked his head to the side, thinking it over. “Will I like the movie?”

“Do you like science fiction?”

“Oh god,” I said with a giggle. “It’s already Random Question Night.”

They both laughed. Then Kyle said, “Sci-fi’s not really my thing.”

“Come watch the movie with us anyway,” I urged, suddenly hoping he would. “We deserve to celebrate.”

He held my gaze for a long moment. “All right.”

A few minutes later,we were in the living room, each of us with a bottle of beer and the taco cups on the coffee table. Jayden was sprawled out on the couch, his legs crossed at the ankle. Kyle was in the nearest armchair, his beer already halfway finished. Lucas was messing with his phone, trying to get the movie to streamto the TV. From the look of frustration on his face, it wasn’t cooperating. Wi-Fi was sometimes spotty in this house.

Kyle glanced over at where I was perched on the arm of the sofa. His gaze was assessing as he took in my oversized sweatshirt and leggings.

“What?” I asked, feeling a little self-conscious.

“Why don’t you put on that dress, the one from the other night?”

I almost spilled my beer. “Why?”

“Why not?”

“I can see why neither of you were on the debate team,” Jayden teased.

Kyle pointed at him. “That’s why. Jay hasn’t seen you in it.”

“Dude, she’s not a tourist attraction.”

Kyle winked at me. “If so, she’d be the best one in the tri-state area.”

I laughed, thinking the matter was settled.

It wasn’t.

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