Page 20 of Unrequited (Unrequited 1)

I found myself getting closer and closer as we talked, until only a couple feet of granite separated us. I spread my hands over the cool stone, taking in this girl who looked like Snow White but listened to heavy metal.

She was stupid pretty. Yesterday, when I saw her lounging by the pool in her red bathing suit, I’d found myself staring at her for a long time, trying to believe she was real. And up close...I’d never seen anything like her. Skin as clear as day. Eyes like the forest. Hair shiny and long. And her mouth…Jesus, her mouth. I’d say it was sinful, but when she smiled, angels sang.

“What’s your name?” she asked, making me realize I’d been staring.

“Santiago. Santi.”

“I’m Maeve. Just Maeve.”

“I’ve never heard that name before.”

She shrugged, grinning. “And I’ve never known a Santi, so we’re even.”

“Brother, we’re parched out there. What’s taking so long?”

I turned, raising an eyebrow at Diego as he sauntered into the kitchen. His eyes darted from me to Maeve, then back, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“Ah, I see.”

He walked right up to Maeve with his hand out, which she took. “I’m Diego. You’re Maeve, right?”

“I am.” The red in her cheeks became furious. “It’s nice to meet you while I’m wearin’ real clothes.”

He hissed. “Damn. Say something else. I love it.”

“I don’t have an accent, you do.” She pursed her lips like she was pouting, and I had to grip the edge of the counter to stop myself from driving my hands into her hair and taking her mouth with mine.

Diego laughed with her, then leaned over the counter, his elbows braced by her arm. “Are you going to come out, watch us rehearse?”

She shook her head. “Not today. I’m just waitin’ for Yael, then we have to race out of here.”

“Tomorrow?” he asked.

She grinned and shook her head again. “I’m busy tomorrow.”

He tapped a finger on her phone. “Why don’t you text me when you’re free.”

The red from her cheeks spread down her neck. “I…um—”

The click-clack of Yael’s shoes on the tile floor drew all our eyes to her. She was a cute girl, looked a lot like her brother. She wore a conservative-looking navy-blue dress and yellow high heels, her dark brown hair pulled back into a braid.

“Ready, chica?” She was fumbling with her purse, and when she looked up, she took a step back. “Oh, hey, boys. I didn’t know you were in here too.”

“Getting water,” I murmured.

“And talking to Maeve,” Diego added.

Maeve hopped up from her stool, smoothing her hand down the back of her dress. I’d been too busy looking at her face to notice what she had on. She looked like she was going to a goddamn garden party. Her dress was white with big red roses all over, and the skirt puffed from her waist down to her knees. She still looked pretty—prettier than any girl I’d ever seen—but I don’t know. She also looked untouchable.

“It was nice talkin’ to you both. My mama will kill us if we’re any later than we already are, so we have to run.”

Yael groaned. “Sorry. My hair wasn’t being cooperative today.”

“Where are you going?” Diego asked.

“Oh.” Maeve played with the end of one of her waves. “It’s my graduation party. My parents are throwin’ a whole big thing, invited almost the entire senior class, I swear.”

“Graduation? College graduation?” I asked.Please say yes. Please tell me I haven’t been perving on a high school girl for the last ten minutes.

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