Page 34 of The Off-Limits Play

Laughter pops out of her perfect mouth as she points at me. “Your face right now. What do you call your grandparents?”

“Nothing. They’re all dead.”

“Oh.” Nylah’s smile drops to a stricken look that’s weirding me out. “I’m so sorry.”

I shake my head. “Three of them were dead before I was even born, and my grandfather and my mom weren’t exactly on speaking terms.” I shrug. “Think he died when I was like seven or something. I didn’t have to go to the funeral, so…”

“Oh my gosh.” Nylah runs her hand down my arm. “I’d be destroyed if my grandparents weren’t around. Especially G-Dawg. She’s my girl. We text most days.” Her expression buckles, her teeth brushing her bottom lip before she gives me an uncertain frown. “Is that super lame? Like one of my best friends is my grandmother?” Her mouth makes a funny shape as she cringes.

“That’s not lame,” I quickly assure her. “You’re lucky.”

And there’s her smile again. “I am lucky,” she murmurs as she nestles back into her seat, her head hovering dangerously close to my shoulder. “And Carson?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t be a creeper.”

“Yeah.” I nod, embarrassment flushing through me, bad enough that I mutter a quick apology.

The word “sorry” doesn’t come easy, but there I go, saying it like it doesn’t hurt to admit I’m a jerk.

Shit. What is this chick doing to me?

CHAPTER13

NYLAH

As soon as the lights go down and the movie begins, I lean my head against Carson’s shoulder. I probably shouldn’t. I heard that little intake of breath, noticed the way his body went rigid, like me touching him was causing some kind of allergic reaction.

But he kept on breathing, and after the third “As you wish,” he started to relax.

I munch on my popcorn, and as the “movie I’ve seen so many times I can practically quote the entire thing” plays, I drink in Carson’s luscious smell, try not to giggle as he wrestles red gummy bears out of the bag, and then try not to melt when he keeps handing me orange and green ones.

He is sweet.

He probably doesn’t think he is, but I can tell. The guy has a heart under all that angst. He’s like the Grinch, and for some reason, I find that adorable.

The theater erupts with laughter as the priest steps forward and says, “Mawage.”

I sit up and check Carson’s face. His lips don’t even curl at the corners while the rest of us laugh at this ridiculous priest.

Wow. He really is stoic.

I wonder how much effort that’s taking.

I bet he’s only doing it because he can sense me watching him.

A muscle in his jaw works, and I turn back to the screen. I really shouldn’t be making him uncomfortable.

But it’s so fun!

And I want to see him break. Not in a mean way, just in that way you crack a Smucker’s Magic Shell after it’s set on your ice cream.

I want to see him split apart… crack a genuine smile.

I want to be the girl who brings that out in him.

Why? I’m not sure.

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