Page 246 of Hooking Up

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I let my hips move of their own accord.

The song fades intoEvery Little Thing She Does is Magic.

I try to block out the lyrics. To forget the thrill of being with someone who sets you on fire.

Leighton must notice I'm slipping. She taps me. "You're gonna be a shrink, right?"

"A research psychologist, yeah. What about you?"

"Oh. I guess I don't know. I've thought about apprenticing."

"Why don't you?"

"I'm not sure I want to spend my life in a tattoo parlor."

"You don't love it?"

"I do, but…"

"It doesn't grab onto your heart and refuse to let go?"

"It might. I'm not sure. I asked Ryan to show me how to do some stuff, but then… it got weird."

"Weird how?"

"I was touching him. And he was so close. And, ugh, how obvious is it that I'm crazy about him?"

"Only a little."

"Does Walker know?"

"I don't think so."

"Don't say anything."

I motionmy lips are sealed. "You think he sees you that way?"

"God no." Her movements slow. "Ryan has tunnel vision with his ex. And he… I'm not sure he even knows I'm a woman."

I'm not sure about that. But I'm not exactly in the mood to argue. "Is it that hopeless?"

"Yeah. It's awful. We're friends and I love being his friend, but it hurts being that close. It's agony."

I nod.

"You know how it goes. It hurts. But it would be worse if we weren't friends. Sometimes, I let myself believe it will happen. But it's been a year, and he's still miserable."

"That sucks. I'm sorry."

"Thanks. Didn't I say something about dancing instead of talking?"

"You did."

"Let's do that." She motions to two guys behind us. Raises a brow.Want to?

They're dressed in bright pink and bright orange t-shirts, both wearing electric blue pants and fire-engine red sneakers. They look like the type who want to share a girl.

Which could be fun, I guess.

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