Page 55 of Choosing You

“Jade?” The voice is followed by light knocking. “Jade? It’s Garret.”

What the hell does he want? To tell me he’s heading out to a party to get wasted?

“What do you want?” I ask as I open the door.

“Well, that’s a hell of a greeting.” He smiles and flashes those beautiful aqua blue eyes. My heart skips a beat seeing him there. And my stomach gets a little fluttery. Are those butterflies? So that’s a real thing? What the hell?

“I know it’s short notice, but I wanted to see if you want to watch a movie upstairs.” He leans against the door frame which for some reason is way hotter than if he just stood up straight.

I say nothing because I have no idea what’s going on here. We haven’t spoken all week and now he’s inviting me up to his room?

“I have snacks if that sways your decision. I replenished the concession stand.” He’s still smiling and I realize that I’m smiling back. Why am I smiling back? I’m supposed to be mad at him. How does he do this to me?

My smile fades as I pull myself together from whatever spell he’s put on me. “It’s Friday night. Shouldn’t you be out at a party?”

He shrugs with one shoulder. “Didn’t feel like it. So are you coming or not?”

“I don’t know. I—”

“Hey, Garret.” I see a girl’s red tipped fingers wrap around Garret’s arm. I duck my head out into the hallway to see that it’s Ava, wearing a tight red dress and black high heels. “Be my date for the party tonight.” She sets her gaze on me as she puts her mouth up to his ear. “I’ll make it worth your time.”

A surge of jealousy courses through me even though I have no reason to be jealous. Garret’s not mine. I have no claim on him. He’s free to do whatever he wants with Ava.

“I already have plans,” Garret says shifting away from her.

“Doing what?” Ava seems annoyed.

“We’re going to a movie.” I blurt it out, having no idea how or why those words just came out of my mouth.

Garret looks surprised but pleased. “Yes. Jade and I are going to a movie. But have fun at the party.”

Ava glares at me. She makes a huffing noise, then spins around on her heels and storms down the hall.

Garret doesn’t even notice. “What movie do you want to see? I’ll check the times.” He takes his phone from his pocket and starts swiping.

“What? No. I was just saying that to get rid of her.”

His eyes remain on the phone. “Too late now. You told her and now it’s public knowledge. We have to go. If she sees us around here she’ll know we lied.”

“I don’t care if she knows we lied.”

“Let’s see. We missed the 7:30 show but there are four movies that start at 9 or a little after. Should I read them off?”

“Hold on.” I cover his phone with my hand. “I never said I was going to the movies.”

He moves my hand away from the phone. “You just said it. Like a minute ago.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Never mind. You’re taking too long to decide. I’ll just pick one. Is that what you’re wearing?”

I glance down at my t-shirt and running shorts, confused by this entire scene. “Um, no. I guess not.”

Did I just agree to go with him? How did this happen?

He puts his phone away. “Can I come in? I’m kind of a target out here in the hall.”

“A target for what?” I ask, moving aside to let him in.

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