Page 37 of His Sound
He’s as chipper as ever, but I can feel my heart clanging around inside my ribs. I don’t know if it’s because his attention is usually split about three dozen different ways, but whenever he stops and looks at me—reallylooksat me—I can’t help feeling like I’m the only girl in the world.
It’s a dangerous effect. All I can think about right now is that day in my apartment, when he clasped his hands around my shoulders and I pressed my own against his chest. He was so warm and solid, like an island in the sun where you could find and lose yourself all at once.
I could get lost in him.
I spare him a glance from the corner of my eye, taking in the lines of his long and lean body. He’s handsome in that impish kind of way, the one that just begs for you to let him get you in trouble.
“So how’s work?”
I realize he’s been talking this whole time and focus back on making words come out of my mouth.
“It’s great!” I tell him.
“And how’s...?” He trails off and makes some fluttery jazz hands.
I force a chuckle. “Paul is good too.”
I suddenly realize that this is a chance to prove myself, to shout to the universe that I’m not going to let it sweep me off my feet. It can throw a smiling golden boy my way just like it did in high school, but I know better this time. I know where I stand.
I’m not going to get lost.
“We’re going on a date,” I blurt. It’s a lie, but I roll with it. “Paul and I. I’m—I’m looking forward to it.”
JP is silent for a moment, head bobbing a few times before he jogs ahead of me and turns around, walking backwards up the sidewalk so we’re face to face.
“Good for you,” he says brightly. “Just watch he doesn’t hit you in the face with his jazz hands.”
“I’d prefer that over a protein bar.”
A big belly laugh escapes him when I say that. He gives me one of his playful shoulder punches and turns back around, leading us up the street like the thought of me going on a date doesn’t faze him at all.
