Page 9 of Introvert

His eyes dropped, and I followed his gaze to where my fingers were—embarrassingly—still clutching his t-shirt.Oh.When the heck did that happen?

"Sorry," I mumbled, releasing the material, taking a step back.

"Don't be," he said. "I'm used to it."

"Meaning?"

A shrug. "People try to rip my clothes off all the time."

"They do? That sounds horrible."

"Depends on who's doing the ripping, I guess."

I swallowed, and he gave me a half-smile. Before he could say more, the door to the bus opened.

"Hey Felix," a voice said, "you ever getting on?"

We both looked over to see a woman, standing just outside the bus with her arms crossed. She waswearing a HERS t-shirt, jeans, and black boots. Her longwhite hair was tied in two braids that hung to her waist.As she stared at us, she tapped her watch.

"Cutting it close, kid."

Felix, the guy who'd just kissed me breathless, shrugged.

"Come on, Essie.You wouldn't leave without me," he said.

"I might."

"But I'm your favorite."

She made a noise then noddedto me. "You a fan of his?"

After that kiss? Absolutely.

Instead of saying that, I replied, "I'm supposed to be going on tour with the bandactually. I play violin."

"Oh well, watch out for this one," she said. "He's too smooth for his own good."

"Love you too, Essie," he mumbled.

Rolling her eyes, she added, "We're wheels upin five. Anyone not on the buswill be left behind.Favorite or not."

With that, she disappeared.

"Don't mind her," he said. "Essie talks tough, but she's a big softie."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said.

"So, you ready?"

Was I?

My phone buzzed with an incoming call, and I smiled in relief. "Hey, I'vegotta take this.It's my cousin.You go ahead."

"See you in there," he said.

"Yep," I said.

As he walked away, I took a deep breath, unable to tear my eyes off him until he was out of sight.Lifting my phone, I shook myself and pressed accept.

---