Page 53 of Choosing You

“Take what? The car?”

“Yeah. If you want to get off campus, just take it.”

“Are you kidding me? This car costs a fortune. I was scared to death to drive it the other night.”

“It’s insured, Jade. And I’m sure you’re a safe driver. How many tickets have you had?”

“None. And no accidents.”

“Then you’re already way better than me. You have a key to my room, so if you need the car, there’s an extra car key in my top drawer.”

“I’m not taking your car, Garret. But thank you for offering.”

“Hey, when we get back, come up to my room and take the food that’s left. You didn’t eat much of it.”

“It’s yours. You can have it.”

“I’ll never eat it. I’ll just throw it away.”

“Well, crap if you’re gonna do that, then I’ll take it.”

“Or, if you plan on watching another movie soon, you could leave some of it there.”

“I don’t know. Am I invited again?”

“Jade, I told you to come by whenever you want to use the TV or any of my stuff.”

“Okay, then leave the concession stand up. Maybe I’ll watch something this afternoon while you’re gone.”

He smiles and shakes his head. “Well, I was kind of hinting for you to stop by when I was there, but whatever.”

* * *

I spendthe rest of the day with Harper, who keeps asking what’s going on between Garret and me. I assure her we’re just friends, but she refuses to believe me.

“So you two have spent all this time together and you haven’t even kissed?” She asks it again for the third time. I keep lying and telling her we haven’t but she doesn’t buy it so I decide to fess up.

“Okay, fine. We kissed. One time. Are you happy now?”

“I knew it! You can’t be around a guy that hot and not kiss him.”

We’re sitting in her room on her pink comforter-covered bed. She’s leaning against the headboard, holding a pink pillow and playing with the fringe around its edges. I’m sitting at the end of her bed against the wall staring at the small chandelier she hung from the ceiling.

“So how was it? Garret seems like he’d be a good kisser.”

“How could you possibly tell that just by looking at him?”

“Well, first, he has great lips. And second, I’m sure he’s had a ton of practice.” She hugs the pillow to her chest. “So how was it? I need details, Jade.”

“It was good. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Did it go anywhere? If it did and you didn’t tell me I’m going to kill you.”

“It was just a kiss. Nothing more. And it probably won’t happen again because Garret and I are just friends.”

“I don’t understand this friends thing. Did you take a vow of celibacy or something?”

She says it seriously and it makes me laugh. “No. I just want to take things slow and be friends first.”

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