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Whoa.I stumbled on my own feet as he took my hand.
“But you don’t even really know me.”
“Can you know you like a song from just listening to the first couple of notes?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Definitely.”
“Well, that’s how it feels for me. The ingredients are already there between us.” Rethreading our fingers, he squeezed. “So, tell me about you.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Favorite band. Favorite color. Favorite flower.”
“Oh.” I relaxed a bit.
I didn’t want to talk about my parents. Though he knew the broad strokes of my life, I didn’t want Collin to know the sordid details. What mattered was that I was getting out of Southside as soon as I could.
Who my mother was, how it was living with her, that would all change once I graduated from high school. I had enough money saved and hidden in our room for the security deposit and first month’s rent on a small efficiency apartment.
“I don’t have a favorite band. I like all of them. Depends on my mood which band or which song is my favorite.”
“What song is your favorite right now?”
My cheeks warmed. “I don’t want to tell you.”
“Something about me?”
I nodded. “My favorite color would be silver like your eyes.”
His lips curved. “Blue-green is mine like yours. When I look at you, I think about a clear blue sky on a perfect spring day.”
“Thank you.” I melted from his words and the heat in his gaze. “I never really thought about flowers.”
“I like roses,” he said. “Apricot, like the color of those adorable light freckles on your cheeks and across your nose. Blush-pink ones for your sexy lips.” His gaze dipped to them, and my stomach flipped. “Has anyone given you flowers before?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m not really into flowers like that. When they’re picked, they die, and it makes me sad.”
“What makes you happy?”
“My sister and music.”And Barry and you, I thought, but I didn’t mention those last two.
Collin seemed willing to put himself and his feelings out in the open. Circumstances had taught me to be more cautious. In the back of my mind, Barry’s warning lingered. I also couldn’t help but wonder how much of Collin’s sudden interest in me was because I had such a handsome best friend. Obviously, my confidence wasn’t what it should be.
“How about you?” I asked.
“My parents. My older brother, Bob. Andy. My friends. Playing my guitar.”
“I didn’t know you had a brother.” I tilted my head, trying to remember if I’d ever seen or heard of his brother. “Did Bob go to Southside High?”
“No. He attends a special school for people with Down’s.”
“Oh. That must be expensive.” And challenging to have a learning-challenged sibling.
“It’s subsidized, but it does cost a lot. My dad’s a welder, and he does extra things like the bouncer gig at Winston’s to help pay for it. My mom works two jobs. Janitorial services for Southside General Hospital, and on weekends, she does housekeeping at the Super Nine Hotel. I help out with Bob a lot of weekends.”
“That must be difficult.”
“Bob’s worth any difficulty. I’ll introduce you soon. My dad already told everyone that he liked meeting you on Saturday night. My parents want you to come over for dinner.”
