Page 22 of The Obsession

“We do have an electric drill,” Mom said.

“Stop it, you guys,” I said, laughing. Then it hit me: the electric drill was Brandon’s. Just one of the many tools he’s brought with him when he moved in. The memory of Brandon made my jaw tighten and my heart rate triple in the span of two seconds. What if I got caught? I pasted a smile on my face before Mom and Aisha noticed my mood darken.

Mom cupped my cheeks with her hands. “You look gorgeous. He’s one lucky guy.”

I didn’t look anywhere close to gorgeous, but her words made me tear up all the same. Less than a month ago, I wouldn’t even have imagined being able to put on makeup without being accused of trying to whore myself out, and now here I was, about to go on a date with one of the most incredible guys I’d come across.

“Where’s he taking you?” Mom said, as we walked down to the kitchen.

“He said it’s a surprise,” Aisha piped up with an eyebrow waggle. “But he did tell her to wear clothes she wouldn’t mind getting dirty. Hence this questionable top.”

Mom’s eyebrows met in the middle. She opened her mouth then shook her head. “Be safe, okay?” She opened the fridge and took out a carton of orange juice. “You girls want some juice?”

I shook my head. I was about to assure her that I could take care of myself when the doorbell rang. The three of us perked up like meerkats.

“I got it!” I said.

Aisha and I hurried toward the door, but Mom made a ninja leap and beat us to it. The woman was fast. She flung it open all breathless and then stood back and stared.

“Um, hi, Mrs.—uh, Ms.—um, ma’am,” Logan said. His eyes widened a little when he saw Aisha. “Oh, hey, Aisha.”

“Hey, Logan.” Aisha grinned at him.

I elbowed her in the ribs.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Logan said. His bangs flopped over one eye, and he brushed them back and then stood there, looking awkward. It was completely adorable.

“So nice to finally meet you, Logan!” Mom turned to face me with a face-splitting grin.He’s cute, she mouthed, as though Logan wasn’t right there in front of us. I wanted to crawl under a very big, very heavy rock. She turned back to Logan. “So, Logan, where are you taking my daughter today?”

“Mooom,” I groaned. “Ignore her.”

“Um, it’s actually kind of a surprise, but I can show you the itinerary.”

“An itinerary!” Mom clapped her hands. “Dee, go wait in the kitchen. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.” She and Aisha huddled around Logan.

I plodded to the kitchen, shaking my head and smiling—Mom and Aisha, such toddlers—and poured myself some juice. Snatches of laughter and murmurs of what sounded like approval came from the door. A few minutes later, Aisha called out my name.

“Are you satisfied?” I said to them. I walked back to the door, my insides burning. I couldn’t quite meet Logan’s eye.

“Very,” Aisha said.

“It’s very impressive,” Mom added. “And Logan, remember, I have an electric drill. Okay, you kids go have fun!”

“See you Monday!” Aisha said. “Call me tonight!”

We all said a never-ending round of awkward, smiley goodbyes, and then finally Logan and I headed off.

“I am so, so sorry about my mom and Aisha,” I said as we walked toward his car.

“What are you talking about? Your mom’s awesome. And Aisha’s funny. After you,” he said, opening the passenger door for me.

I slid into the car with my cheeks tingling. No one had ever opened the car door for me. The engine turned on and music flooded the inside of the car. I turned to face Logan, my eyes wide.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“No, it’s just—you like Planet Green too?”

“Yeah, they’re my favorite band. Don’t tell me you’re a fan, too?”

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