Page 58 of Choosing You

“What’s all this?” I ask, walking inside.

“I wanted to add some atmosphere. It’s cool, right? And now we don’t have to use the harsh overhead lights or the bright desk lamp.”

“I don’t know,” I say suspiciously. “This seems like some type of romantic mood lighting.” I turn to him. “And I can tell you right now that you’re not getting sex tonight.”

He laughs and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Tonight? So you’d consider it some other night? Okay. That works for me.”

“That’s not what I meant. I meant that you’re not getting sex tonight or any night. At least not with me.”

Why did I just say that? It’s far too bold a statement. I basically ruled out having sex with him for all of eternity which is not at all what I wanted to do. But it’s too late now. I can’t take it back.

“Well, if we’re not having sex you might as well leave right now.”

I stand there in shock as my anger rises. I should’ve known that’s all he wanted from me. I try to push past him to get to the door, but before I can take two steps he scoops me up in his arms.

“I was kidding, Jade. Man, you can’t take everything so seriously.”

“Put me down.”

“Only if you promise to stay.”

I try to wiggle free, but it just makes him hold me tighter. I could use my self defense techniques on him, but that would hurt him and I really don’t want to do that. Plus, I like being in his arms. He’s really strong. Holding me up like this doesn’t even seem to be any effort for him.

“Okay. I’ll stay.”

He starts to put me down, then stops. “One more thing. You have to give me a compliment. After all the insults you’ve given me, I don’t think it’s too much to ask.”

“Just put me down.”

“One compliment, Jade. That’s it.”

I sigh. “Fine. I like your stupid lights.”

It makes him laugh to the point that he can no longer hold me. He sets me down on his giant bean bag chair.

His cell phone chirps. “That’s the pizza. I’ll be right back.”

While he’s gone I stare up at the twinkly blue lights. Theyarereally cool.

“Did you pick out a movie?” Garret comes back with a large pizza balanced on his arm.

“Yeah. The crime-fighting dog movie.”

“We’re not watching that, Jade.”

“Oh, we aresowatching it.” I crawl over to the box of movies and fish it out.

Garret doesn’t bother trying to stop me because he knew we would watch it eventually.

After the movie, which isn’t too bad for a cartoon, Garret takes the pizza box to the outside dumpster because it’s stinking up the room. When he returns I’m searching the box for another movie.

“I’m picking the next one,” he says. “After that last one, I’m starting to question your judgment.”

“It’s your movie!” I go to his fridge to get another soda.

“This one’s good.” He holds up a comedy.

“As long as it’s not some sappy romance.” I go back to my place on the bean bag chair, expecting him to sit against his bed like last time but instead he sits next to me on the bean bag chair. His change of seats has me wondering what’s going on with him. Our friends-only agreement still stands and yet sometimes he tries to push its boundaries by holding my hand or kissing my cheek or getting really close like he’s doing now. And as tempting as it is to take that next step, I feel like I shouldn’t. But damn, it’s tempting.

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