Page 26 of Blurred Lines

“Thanks, you clean up well.” She glances down at my shoes, stifling a snort behind her hand. “Interesting shoe choice.”

I laugh, looking down at the canary yellow sneakers I’m wearing. Ihateloafers. They’re so tough and uncomfortable. Why would I shove my feet in those, just to fit in with everyone else, when I can wear comfortable sneakers?

“Wanna dance?”

She hesitates, and I don’t like it. I don’t like the tense set to her shoulders or the awkwardness in the air between us. Thankfully, it only lasts a split second before she relaxes, sliding her hand into mine and letting me escort her onto the dance floor. The music is fast, with an upbeat tone, and we dance like idiots, Hadley and the guys joining us when they arrive.

“Need a drink,” Emilia eventually pants. Her cheeks are flushed and sweat clings to her hairline, but her smile is bright and the glint in her eyes is captivating.

Agreeing, I follow her as she pushes her way through the crowd toward the drinks table.

“I need to talk to you,” I murmur in her ear as she pours herself a glass of punch. She frowns at me, downing the cup before asking, “Why? About what?”

“I have a plan.”

“For what you’re gonna do after school ends? That’s great, Wilder.”

Ehh, not quite, but yeah, sorta. I guess that’s technically what it is.

I nod my head anyway because I can see I’ve piqued her interest.

I relay to her the whole crazy plan I’ve worked out, and I can see her eyes widening in surprise, and the impressed look on her face when she realizes how much thought I’ve given all of this. I have every day of the next two months planned out, so we can spend every moment together, really getting to know each other, and then, at the end of our epic summer together, I’ll drop her off at college. Okay, so I maybe leave out the bit about me staying in Halston with her. One step at a time. I need to make her fall in love with me first.

“Wilder…” She trails off, absolutely speechless at the brilliance of my plan. “That’s...insane.”

I nod my head.

“Like, completely crazy. Why would you even organize all of that without asking me first?”

Huh, I’m detecting some skepticism.

“Why would you even assume Iwantto spend the whole summer with you? How do you know I don’t have plans already? Hell, you haven’t even given me any say in what we’d be doing.”

I’m frowning now, baffled as to why she’s getting so riled up. “Well, tell me what you want to do and I’ll add it to the plan.”

She just stares at me, incredulous before eventually shaking her head. “I can’t.” Her mouth opens and closes wordlessly. “I just can’t with you, right now.” She’s still shaking her head as she slips back into the writhing crowd of students, leaving me standing there, completely stunned.What the fuck?

Heading outside, I take some time to clear my head, and try to work out what part of my plan annoyed Emilia the most so I can fix it, before I go back into the dance, joining the others on the dance floor again for another few songs. Eventually, I’ve had enough, and I drag Emilia over to the side of the room.

“I don’t get it. I thought you’d love to spend the summer traveling, seeing new places.”

She pulls her arm out of my hold. “I would love that, but what made you think I wanted you to dictate the next two months ofmylife? I don’t need, or want you making decisions for me. Did it ever cross your mind to ask me if I had any plans, or if I wanted to spend the summer withyou?”

I furrow my brows. I guess I could have involved her, but I knew she’d shoot it down, dismissing it as some half-baked idea.

“Alright,” I relent. “I’m sorry. I should have involved you. I thought it would be a nice surprise. That doesn’t mean you have to say no, just because you’re annoyed though.”

Her lips thin, and I can tell she’s frustrated with me.

“Wilder, I can’t.”

“You can. It’s my treat. You won’t have to pay for anything.” For some reason my words only make the lines on her forehead deepen, although I can’t figure out why.Jesus, how is this woman so difficult to get a read on?

“It’s got nothing to do with money. I already have plans.”

“What are they? I’d need to look over the itinerary I set up, but I’m sure we can squeeze it in.” I’m already digging into my pockets to get my phone when she rests her hand on my arm, and when I look up at her, there’s a somber look on her face that I really don’t like.

“No, Wilder. I’m spending the summer touring with Death on a Matchstick.”

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