Page 23 of The Young & the Sinner

“Why not?” she asked. Lizzie sounded strangely optimistic for being the realist out of the two of us. I was the dreamer, but I wouldn’t dare dream that Mason could be mine just because I really wanted it.

“Because he’s Max’s brother. And he’s eleven years older than me. Plus, I doubt he sees me as anything other than Max’s ward. And I’m not even out of high school yet.”

“And you’re technically considered jailbait.”

I groaned and leaned my head back against the locker door, my eyes closed. “Yeah. That.”

I felt someone nearby, and when I opened my eyes, Lorenzo was standing right there, a charming, boyish smile on his face. I moved back, more from the surprise than anything else.

He frowned. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Oh, that’s alright. I just didn’t expect to see you standing there.”

He smiled again and I looked at Lizzie. I wondered if I looked as awkward as I felt. Why was this so hard? Lorenzo followed my gaze to her.

“Hey, Lizzie, how are you?”

At least Lizzie could be casual when she answered, “Good.”

When we all stood there staring at each other, I began to fidget. I knew Lorenzo wanted to talk to me alone, and he was waiting for Lizzie to leave. But she wouldn’t unless I asked her to, and as awkward as this was, I didn’t want her to leave.

Lorenzo shifted on the balls of his feet. “So, I was thinking we could go on our date this Saturday. I have a baseball game on Friday, and I would like you to come.” He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, and despite the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about Mason, my heart still fluttered from the simple contact. “I would also like for you to wear my jersey.”

My heart thudded so loudly against my chest; I was surprised he didn’t hear it. Wearing the player’s jersey was a tradition of sorts, reserved only for the player’s girlfriend. Was he asking me what I thought he was asking me? But we hadn’t even gone on a date. Lizzie raised an eyebrow at this, as if to say, Really?

I looked at him, unsure of how I should answer, especially when I wasn’t even sure if he was asking me that. I wished he would come out and say it. I was never really good at observing social cues.

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“Yeah, baby.” His lips pulled into a half-smile, and I was pretty sure it was meant as charming. So why did it just look cocky? And in a situation as serious as this, I didn’t think it was right that he was acting that way.

I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I think I made a mistake agreeing to go out with you. You seem like a really nice guy, but for reasons I’d much rather not get into, I have to decline. Thank you for asking. I’m really flattered.”

Did I really say that? And why the hell did I make it sound like I was at a job interview?

Lizzie bit her lip to keep from laughing. I hoped she would hold onto her self-control until Lorenzo left.

Something like anger flashed in his eyes over my rejection, and I frowned, becoming wary of him. But it was gone so fast, I wondered if I imagined it. His smile was back, but it was a regretful kind of smile. “Isn’t there anything I can say to change your mind? I really like you, Olivia. And I think we would be great together.”

I shook my head, set on my answer, though there was a small part of me that doubted my decision. I wondered if I was making a mistake. “I’m sorry.”

“I can respect your decision for now, because I know there isn’t anything I can say to change your mind. But I’m not giving up. I’m going to prove to you that I’m worth taking the chance on.” He grabbed my and hand and kissed the back of it. My breath caught.

Such an old-fashioned thing to do. Much like how he asked Max for permission to take me out. That made me doubt my decision a little more. Lizzie bumped me with her shoulder, getting my attention.

“Wow. Are you sure this is what you want? I mean, the you from last week would probably have killed to have Lorenzo ask her out on a date.”

“Yeah, well, that me had never met Mason Kade before.”

“But like you said, it’s not going to happen with Mason. Why not go out with Lorenzo and live out your freshman girl fantasy?”

“Because it doesn’t feel right dating someone when my heart and mind isn’t a hundred percent in it.”

Lizzie sighed. “You are not your mom. I wished you could see that.”

“We’re not talking about my mom here.”

“Yes, we are. That’s why you said no. You think if you date someone while crushing on someone else, that you would soon follow in your mom’s footsteps.”

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