Page 92 of Searching for Nova

I put my arm around her, trying to keep her warm. “I told you it was cold.”

When we’re in the Jeep, I give her my coat.

“Don’t you want it?” she asks.

“I run hot. I don’t need it.”

She puts it on as I pull out of the parking lot.

“You should see all the coats my sister has,” I say. “My mom’s making her give some of them away because they don’t all fit in the closet.”

“I could take one if she’s just throwing them out,” Nova says, which is exactly why I told her that. Nova won’t take handouts, but I knew if I told her Jenna was just going to toss them, Nova would be more likely to take one. Jenna just cleaned out her closet so it might be too late to take something, but I’ll do it anyway. She has way more clothes than she needs.

We get to the store and the smallest TV I can find is 32 inches, which is bigger than Nova wanted. But it’s cheap, or what I would call cheap. Nova thinks it’s expensive. We get the rest of the stuff and check out.

Back at the apartment, I set up the TV while Nova goes through the sacks of food I brought.

“Mac and cheese?” She holds up the box. “Isn’t that a lot for a snack?”

“Not for me.” But I’m not going to eat it. I got that for her. She used to love mac and cheese and I’m guessing that hasn’t changed.

“You like beef jerky?” she asks.

“Yeah, do you?”

“I love it, but I don’t ever buy it. It’s too expensive.”

“It’s yours. I don’t feel like having any tonight.”

She rips open the bag. “Hey, how was the party? You never said.”

“It was okay. Everyone was doing shots when I left. I’m sure they’re all passed out by now.”

“Was your girlfriend there?”

“Ex-girlfriend, and yes, she was there.” I move the TV in the corner next to the closet. “What do you think? It blocks some of the closet, but there isn’t anywhere else to put it.”

“It’s good where you have it.”

“I can move it if you change your mind.” I look back and see Nova wearing nothing but a lacy thong.

She notices me looking at her and covers herself up with her shirt. “I’m changing.”

“Sorry.” I look away. “I didn’t know.”

It’s going to be hard to just be friends with her tonight after seeing that. I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about her naked.

“Okay, I’m done,” she says.

Looking back, I see her wearing the clothes she had on earlier. She’s sitting on the bed, leaning back against the wall. “Is the TV ready?”

“Yeah.” I join her on the bed and hand her the remote. “Find what you want.” I get up and grab my backpack.

“Don’t you want to look together?”

“You can pick.” I turn away from her and take my shirt off.

“What about this?” I glance over at the TV. She picked a comedy, one I haven’t seen. “Yeah, let’s watch that.” I undo my belt and take off my jeans.

---