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JACE: What are your plans for the night?
I think for a minute before answering. My knee-jerk instinct with him is to say something snarky, but instead, I settle on the truth and hope it doesn’t somehow bite me in the ass.
ME: Not sure, but I think I’m just going to stay in. I’ve gone out the last few nights with the girls, and I’m spent.
I hit send and fight the niggling hope he’ll be there.
JACE: Wanna chill and watch a movie together?
I stare at my phone, blinking. Did he just ask me to hang out with him?
Only a couple weeks ago, spending any amount of time in the same room meant we’d be at each other’s throats within the hour. But things are changing, and we live together. Hanging out when neither of us have plans is inevitable. So why does the thought of watching a movie with him make my heart race? And is it weird that I actuallywantto hang out with him?
“Hello?Earth to Brynn,” Samantha calls out from the back seat.
My head snaps up from my phone and I blink over at Charlotte, then behind me to Samantha, who’s waiting expectantly. “Sorry. Did you say something?”
“We said we’re gonna just chill at the dorms tonight. Charlotte asked if you’re joining us, or if you wanted us to drop you off at the apartment.”
“Oh, uh . . .” I should probably go with them to the dorms. Girl time is good for me, and Jace and I alone together is a bad idea considering, as of late, I never know what I’m going to get with him.
But I’ve been spending the majority of my free time with Charlotte, Samantha, and a couple of the other girls I’ve gotten to know at Hyde Hall. I’ve spent most of my free time with them lately, and it might be kind of nice to just put on some PJs and watch a movie until I fall asleep or decide to drag myself to bed. Which is why I find myself saying, “I’m beat, honestly. It’s been a busy week.”
“Yeah. I’m with you. Between classes, how many times we’ve gone out this week, as well as the heat, I feel like I could sleep for days.”
“Fine, then.” Samantha sighs. “I guess I won’t meet James for drinks tonight.”
I snort. “You make it sound like a standing date.”
“That’s because it is,” she says, like I’m stupid.
“He’s the bartender. He has to be there,” I point out, though in truth it doesn’t seem to deter her. She still flirts relentlessly while he only half listens as he works.
“Details.” She waves me away, and I laugh.
My phone buzzes in my hand again, drawing my attention, and I realize I never answered Jace back.
JACE: I promise to keep my hands to myself—lips, tongues, and all. ??
I grin, fighting the flush rising to my cheeks and, apparently, losing because when Charlotte comes to a red light, she leans over, peering down at my phone. “Who ya talkin’ to?”
“What. No one,” I say, yanking it out of sight.
“Oh, she’s definitely talking to someone. Five bucks says it's lover boy.”
I arch a brow. “Who the hell is lover boy?”
“Jacey-poo.” Samantha dramatically flutters her lashes.
“Jacey-poo?” I repeat. “Do notevercall him that again.”
“So, is it?” Charlotte arches a brow.
“If you must know, yes, it just so happens to be Jace.” I roll my eyes, then hurry and text him back before he takes my silence as a rejection.
ME: Well, that’s no fun.
I hit send, and instantly regret what I said.
