Page 5 of Fraternizing with the Enemy
Because holywow, were they strong. And I regretted not copping more of a feel.
The boy blinked again, seemingly caught off guard by the spell I’d cast. Even though I hadn’t been allowed to date over the years, I’d still practiced flirting. Or maybebecauseI hadn’t been allowed to date, I’d still practiced. Either way, all of those effortsof making googly eyes at myself in the mirror finally had a chance to pay off.
“Could you, uh—” Cutie began suddenly, but cut himself off to clear his throat. Definitely flustered. He tried again, talking slower. “Could you tell me where the office is?”
“Better yet.” Jade put her hands on my shoulders and gave me a—gentler, this time—shove toward him. “Madison can show you.”
I, for one, had zero objections. In fact, I silently thanked my bestie for her rapid-fire thinking. Without asking, I looped my arm through the boy’s—ah, thosewereyummy muscles—and sidled up beside him. My heart pirouetted in response. “You’re in luck, because I’m the best Brentwood High tour guide,” I told him, giving his wrist a pat. “Come on. I can give you the full Brentwood High circuit.”
Cutie didn’t shy away from my touch. “What an honor,” he said, and his lips pulled into a boyish grin.
In my head, I could already see everything play out like a perfectly executed cheer routine. I’d caught the cute new boy first—which meant I had dibs. We’d be the next campus couple. There would be endless Babble posts about us—and Jade would be so proud.
Everyone waiting to see who Madison Oliphant chose to be beside her on her Top Tier throne wouldn’t have to hold their breath much longer. The excitement nearly had me squealing.
“You don’t have to take me on a whole tour,” Cutie told me after I led himawayfrom the office. “If you’re busy.”
“I can make time for someone like you.”
“Someonelike me?”
“New. Which you are, right?” It was a dumb question, but sometimes playing it dumb was a good way to pump a guy up more. Some of them liked to feel smarter. “I’d have noticed a guy as handsome as you walking down the Brentwood halls last year.”
His slight grin turned boyish, and he couldn’t meet my eyes. So freaking adorable. “Wow. That was… straightforward.”
“Beating around the bush wastes time,” I told him, readjusting my grip on his arm as we walked down the hall. I dodged everyone’s eye contact, keeping my focus solely on him. “And I’m not a time waster.”
The boy gave a warm chuckle. “Good to know.”
I not-so-discreetly peered up at him, noticing the way his golden hair curled over his ear, where his loose shirt collar brushed his tanned skin. Even his side profile was beautiful, with his pointed nose and sharp jawline. As we walked down the hall, a few students stopped and watched, and I lifted my chin higher, fighting a broad smile.Yes, you’re getting the first glimpse, I thought to them.Madison Oliphant and…
“What did you say your name was?” I asked him.
“Logan,” he replied.
“Logan. I like it.”Magan. Lodison. Hmm… we’ll work on the ship name.
He cleared his throat a little. “And you said your name was… Madison?”
I hadn’t said, but Jade had. Still, I nodded. “Madison Oliphant.”
Gosh, his eyes weresoblue. “Madison Oliphant, that’s… pretty. It suits you.”
“You can leave the flirting to me.” I patted his arm, grinning. “I’m far better at it.”
He laughed—an easy, genuine sound that made my stomach flutter. “Guess I’d better step up my game.” Logan readjusted his arm to bring me closer into his side. “I’ll catch you off guard eventually.”
Eventually. Was I totally overthinking, or was he planning ahead, too?Eek!
“This is the gymnasium,” I said, pointed at the open doors. “You play any sports?”
Logan nodded. “Football.”
No way. The gods of Brentwood High wereseriouslylooking down on me.“Did you attend Brentwood tryouts over the summer? I can’t remember if any of my friends mentioned a newcomer.”
“No, I didn’t go to their tryouts,” Logan said with a small sigh. “Missed the deadline. Wasn’t meant to be.”
“There’s always basketball. Do you play?”
