Page 23 of Can't Always Get What You Want

“Something like…” I grin. “Oh, I don’t know. A kis?—”

“Don’t,” she cuts me off. “Do not.”

I straighten, taking a slow step back with a shrug. “Suit yourself, Montagalo.”

Nova exhales through her nose, clearly at war with herself, and I can tell—I know—that if I leaned in…if I reached for her, she’d meet me halfway.

But I don’t.

Instead, I lift my hand in a lazy wave. “G’night, Nova.”

Her fingers tighten around the wheel. “Good night.” The words are clipped, like she’s forcing herself to say them.

I watch as she shifts into gear, backing out with more precision than necessary, her movements stiff, controlled. I watch as her taillights glow red, then disappear around the corner.

Then I shake my head, smirking to myself.

Yup. She’s pissed.

And the best part? She’s not pissed atme.

She’s pissed at herself…

For wanting me in the first place.

5

nova

“Why do you seem so agitated?” My brother’s voice comes out of nowhere, interrupting my thoughts. “I thought you would want to hang. Don’t you miss this face?”

He’s right.

Ididwant to hang out.

Did.

Past tense.

It sure would be nice if I could get Luca off my brain long enough to be in the moment.

He plucks a puck-shaped coaster from the table and tosses it in the air, catching it without looking. “You’re chewing your thumb again. You only do that when you’re stressed or thinking about something you shouldn’t be.”

I jerk my hand away from my mouth. Busted.

“I’m fine,” I lie, curling my legs under me on the opposite couch. “Just tired.”

Now would be the perfect time to drop a hint about your date last night. He doesn’t need to know who it was with, but maybe…

No.

It’s too soon for that. The date was nothing—not even a kiss was had. Spilling my guts about it would only make the fact that I hid it, worse.

“You wanna order food?” Gio asks, prattling on. “I’m starving. We could do tacos. Or sliders? I could eat out of the trash, I’m so hungry.

“Sure.” Whatever.

“Then we can talk about the reason you dyed your hair, eh?”

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