Page 22 of Come As You Are

“So add a leather jacket,” he says, rolling his eyes.

“Do I look like I own a leather jacket?” I ask, and as I’m saying it, I realize. “Youlook like you own a leather jacket. Lend it to me?”

“What if I don’t have one?”

“You do.”

Another deep sigh, and then he slogs up to his room and brings it down. It’s too long, and the sleeves aredefinitelytoo long, but with the addition of a couple of long necklaces, I actually kind of love this look. “What do you think now?”

“I think we should go before the movie ends and you made me get dressed for nothing.”

“I’ll take it.” I swipe on some lip gloss and off we go tomake our debuts as the Sociable Athlete and the Tough Hot Girl.

Salem completely ignores me on the walk to the Student Center, opting instead to listen to music so loudly I can make out lyrics through his headphones. But when we arrive, he seems to remember that he’s supposed to be picking up some chivalrous skills, and he holds the door open for me.

Of course, he sweeps into a low bow and says “Milady” in a dry British accent as he does it, but it’s a start.

“Why thank you.” We follow signs to the auditorium, where they’re showing the movie, and I could swear I feel a couple of eyes on us as we pass. It’s exactly what I need to turn to Salem and say, “Remember when you asked how this fits in for me?”

“I do.”

“Great! Hold my hand.”

“I’m sorry, hold your what now?”

I hold out my hand. “Take it. Obviously we’re not going to let people think we’re really dating, but it’s good for us both if people see us as the kind of people whocanget dates. We just want people talking.”

“I literally do not ever want people talking. I’m perfectly happy with the entire world shutting the fuck up, always.”

I should’ve known he’d be impossible about this. “Fine. Let’s just go.”

Salem sighs. “I am going to remind you that all of this stupid planning was your idea, okay? Remember that before I do this.”

Curiosity officially piqued, I promise.

Before I can even process what’s happening, a surprisingly muscular arm wraps around my shoulders, that deliciously woodsy scent fills my nostrils, and I realize Salem is steering me toward a romantic seat in the back with a casually possessive arm that draws a surprising number of gazes. Even Isabel and her friends, lounging in the corner of the room, drink us in with curious eyes.

It’s perplexing and, I have to admit, weirdly thrilling.

I don’t even care when I realize Lucas and Heather are right in front of us, and it’s highly unlikely they missed our entrance.

“So you won’t hold my hand,” I whisper with a smirk, “but—”

“Shut it. Holding hands wasn’t the right move. That was. Trust me.”

Weirdly enough, I do.

A chill settles over my shoulders as Salem takes his arm back, or maybe I’m just missing its warmth. Either way, the instinct to curl into him is strong, and for the first time since that awful night with Lucas, I wonder if maybe Ishouldtry to find another guy.…

No. I make bad choices with boys. Craig was a bad choice, and Lucas was a bad choice, and if I’m going to make good choices in the future, I need to hold a lot more power thanI currently do.Eyes on the prize, Evie,I tell myself, as if I’ll know the prize when I see it.

I can only hope that I do.

I glance at Salem, but his eyes are firmly on the screen, and I catch the light flickering on his sharp jawline instead. If it weren’t for the slight tic indicating he was clenching it, I’d almost think he was actually enjoying the movie we just entered ten minutes late.

Tomorrow, I’ll make this up to him,I vow. I may not be able to deliver Isabel yet, but a weed-free study session to help his slacker ass? That I can definitely do.

Salem can’t wait to bolt when the movie’s done, and I have no reason to linger, so we leave the second the closing credits roll, and promptly bump into Matt. He’s got an arm around a girl I don’t know while deep in conversation with a couple of guys I recognize from basketball tryouts, and he lights up when he sees us. “Roomie! Dormie!” he says cheerfully, holding up his free hand for Salem to reluctantly slap and me to much more enthusiastically follow up. He gives me a once-over, complete with a slow whistle. “Looking good, Riley.”

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