Page 55 of The Hookup Situation
I plop down on the couch, wearing his jacket, with my lips tingling from that kiss. Tomorrow is the festival, and something tells me everything is about to change. I have to remind myself it’s only temporary, and six weeks is all we have. And that thought terrifies me more than anything else.
9
JULIE
Once again, I wake up at five a.m., even though I could have slept in a bit longer. Festival day makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning. I unlock my phone, seeing I already have a text from Nick, sent at 4:47 a.m.
Nick
Why am I awake? This town has broken my city-boy’s sleep schedule. Good morning! Hope you have a great day.
Julie
Morning! Welcome to small-town life. Your internal clock now runs on coffee-shop time.
Nick
Speaking of coffee … are you working today?
Julie
Until 3. Then it’s ME + YOU + FALL FESTIVAL TIME! AHH!!!
Nick
Your enthusiasm for pumpkins is borderlineconcerning.
Julie
Says the man who literally graphed our relationship.
Nick
We agreed never to speak of the PowerPoint again.
Julie
I don’t remember agreeing to anything.
I grin and roll out of bed. Even though I don’t have to be at work until seven, I’m too wired to go back to sleep. Last night keeps replaying in my mind. Nick was a good sport and chatted with me while I showered, and I can’t forget the way he looked at me in that green dress.
By the time I get to Cozy Coffee, Blaire is already there, surrounded by pumpkin-shaped cookies.
“You’re early,” she says, then looks at me closely. “Oh my God, you had sex.”
“I did not!”
“You’re wearing thatI had good sexface.”
“I have anexcited about the festivalface.”
“That’s definitely not it.” She studies me. “Or maybe it’salmost sexface. What happened after Bookers?”
“Nothing. We walked home, and he was a perfect gentleman.”
“Boring.” She groans. “I’m supposed to be living vicariously through you.”
“Before we left for dinner, he sat on my toilet and talked to me while I showered.”
