Page 57 of Bullet
“I just wanted to apologize. He never said anything about seeing anyone or anything like that. If he had, I never would have come.”
“Trust me, what just happened has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him and me. You did nothing wrong.”
“I still feel like I did, though. It’s never fun feeling like someone is trying to take what’s yours.”
She’s not wrong.
“If it makes you feel better, I don’t plan on seeing him again,” she says.
“Why? Is he a bad date or something?” I ask, feeling slightly defensive.
She’s lucky she can date him out in the open like this. She should be jumping at the chance to lock him down.
She winces. “No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just my dad wouldn’t approve, and we really aren’t connecting.”
“Is he not your type?” I ask as I lean against the sink, turning to give her my attention.
Her cheeks flush. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s attractive and everything, but it’s just not there.”
She looks like she wants to say something else, but she’s holding back.
“And…”
“Well, I was hoping that maybe if you’re open to it, we could be friends?” she asks hesitantly.
“Friends?” I didn’t see this coming.
“Yeah, I’m new to town, and I really don’t know anybody.” She laughs sarcastically. “Which is one of the reasons I said yes to this date.”
Huh.
Could I be friends with her?
I mean, surely if Bullet asked her out, she’s not that bad. Not only that, but I wouldn’t have to worry about her stealing him from me at any point. Or flirting with him like Skyla does.
“You know what? Sure,” I find myself saying.
Her face lights up, and if I were less confident, I would totally hate her for how pretty she is.
“Really?”
“Yeah, do you still have my number?” I ask, remembering I gave it to her at Tara’s store.
“I do.”
“Text me later,” I tell her.
“I will, and thank you for being so understanding about all of this.”
As I leave the restroom, I can’t help but laugh. I don’t think any of us saw tonight going the way it did. But I’m not mad about it.
The date is going as well as it could be. Adalyn and I are getting to know each other and doing all the typical first date things. Where are you from? Do you have any siblings? What’s your favorite food? Where’s your favorite place you’ve ever been.
Thanks to Trigger’s research, I already know most of her answers ahead of time.
What I wasn’t expecting was for Harlee to ruin it. When she walked up to the table, I froze. I didn’t know what to say or do.
I watch as she walks away. How do I even begin to salvage this?
