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“Oh, I wanted to congratulate you,” I rush before I chicken out, “on your photography nomination. I went to your last exhibition. You’re really talented.”
“You were there?” He blushes, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks. How come I didn’t see you?”
I shrug. “You were with your friends.”
He nudges me. “Well, you’re in the group now.”
“Umm, I was thinking, maybe you and I hanging out is super important,” I say before my lack of confidence shuts me down. “Yes, I’m dating Parker, and yes, Yvie and I want to be friends, but I can’t really be friends with either of them if I’m not friends with you. You’re the glue holding the four of us together.”
“You think?”
“Absolutely. Maybe you and I should hang out more?” My voice cracks, shattering my illusion of confidence, but I push through. “What do you think?”
“I’m up for these double dates. I don’t know if you know this, but this is the first time I’ve had a girlfriend. It’s cool I get to do all this with my best friend by my side. Smashes my nerves.”
“You’re nervous?”
“I just want to be good at this,” he admits. “I have a lot to live up to with a girl like Yvie.”
I frown, swallowing something sour. He deserves so much better than a superficial girlfriend. I hope, once this is all over, he can see her as a fake first girlfriend.
“Sorry,” he mumbles. “Did I make you uncomfortable?”
I shake out of my thoughts. “No.”
“You don’t have to worry about Parker, you know. He doesn’t expect you to be anything you’re not.”
I nod, knowing I’m more on the same page with Parker than he is.
An easy laugh tumbles out of him. “You already hooked him earlier today. Jumping off that cliff. Man, that was impressive. I can’t believe you actually did it.”
I place my hands on my hips in an attempt to appear brave. “Really?”
“Yeah. Everyone chickens out on their first time.”
I smile, holding back a laugh. “Did you?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m surprised Parker didn’t already tell you. He never lets anything go.”
“I’ve noticed that.”
“But I’m no chicken now. You saw my backflips, right?”
I giggle. “Sure did.”
“Good, because I didn’t want you thinking you’re more of a daredevil than me.”
I fan my face, in disbelief Lewis and I are actually chatting. “I would never.”
He motions ahead. “We’re almost there. You’re not going to gloat while we wait for the bus, are you?”
“I would never.” I bat my lashes as I grin. “Even if I’m acting more like a part of Wasteland Squad than you.”
Impressed, Lewis’s eyes widen. “You watch those movies?”
I clasp my hands and giggle, picturing the movie poster on his bedroom wall. “They’re only my favorite action movies.”
“Wow. You’re not like other girls.”
