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He made a small gesture with his arm, lifting it up then letting it drop. It took her a moment to realize what he was saying.
Yes, or no.
Was she okay with him touching her? That’s what he was asking, in a quick, simple way without saying it aloud. “Yes or no?” he repeated now that it made sense.
She wasn’t prepared for how secure his gentle request made her feel. He could see it better than anyone else; the invisible screen she placed between her and everyone in her life. He could see it, and he respected it.
She wasn’t used to that.
So she said yes.
“Keep it small.” Her answer must have sounded more sure than it did on Saturday because he didn’t hesitate or question her like he did the last time. He gave a small smile and nodded.
It was barely a touch, more like a brush where his hand settled dead center on her back and rested, but it was enough. Over by Nathan’s car, Kimmy giggled into her fingers and Tricia rolled her eyes.
Together, they walked. Should she be more nervous? Maybe. But Nathan was there, and he made everything easier.
“Good morning, Tully,” Tommy greeted her first and Kimmy gave her a friendly wave. “How was yourweekend?” His eyebrows wriggled suggestively. If he was trying to be discreet with his ribbing, he was terrible at it. She didn’t want to imagine where his imagination took him. If it was anything like what she imagined his and Kimmy’s relationship was like—and what she’d seen in the hallways—it was much more intense than anything she and Nathan did.
A comedy movie followed by a few intense hours of studying at a picnic table. Very sexy.
But she couldn’t say that. She couldn’t even act how she truly felt because she needed to get into her character: a girl in a newish relationship would be blushing and kicking her feet at a suggestive comment.
The best she could do was an uncomfortable giggle she hoped was more convincing than it felt. “Fine.”
Tommy bought it at least, guffawing rowdily. Tricia was less impressed. No surprise there.
Kimmy didn’t care about that stuff though. “Oh my God, I love your hair. Where do you get it permed?” She reached forward, and Tully physically held herself back from flinching away when she grabbed one of the curls, pulled it straight, and then let it spring back. Tully grabbed the same piece protectively when Kimmy let go and hid her discomfort behind a polite smile.
Nathan’s hand on her back rubbed soft circles, reassuring her of his presence and gently contrasting Kimmy’s oblivious touch. It wasn’t just a touch though—it was a message. He was silently letting her know that he knew she was uncomfortable.
She’d never felt so seen by anyone before.
“It’s natural, unfortunately,” Tully said, though her mind stayed distracted by Nathan’s hand.
“Unfortunately? I wouldkillto have hair like yours. It’s gorgeous,” Kimmy stared greedily, touching her tawny ringlets, and Tully pursed her lips. “I would save a fortune not having to get mine permed every few months.”
Tully got compliments occasionally, which more often than not ended up being backhanded ways of throwing in some insult hidden under praise. A little bit of sweetness to hide the sour. It was Joliet’s tactic up until middle school, then she switched to just outright slander when she got bored of Tully’s reactions. So she wasn’t quite sure if that was what Kimmy was doing, but she didn’t have the same sneer that Joliet had so that could be a good sign. It was often hard for her to tell.
“Oh, you don’t want hair like that, Kim. It looks so cute now, but as soon as it gets a little hot or rains you’ll look like a ditz.” Sweet as ever, Tricia came in with her own learned behavior—courtesy of Joliet Harding. Tully glared at her.
“Well I think it’s cute,” Kimmy didn’t back down. “Frizz adds character.”
Tully’s glare evaporated into a light surprise. Figuring out a new group dynamic was like learning a second language. She hadn’t paid much attention to this particular group in the years she’d gone to school with them, but if she had, would she see this? Tommy, doofus and dorky, Tricia, battering and bitchy, and Kimmy, direct but not a total bitch—maybe not a bitch at all.
Tully was starting to realize she had a bad case of prejudice. Nathan surprised her when she got to know him a little bit. Her opinion of him changed nearly instantly, and it didn’t take her long to discover the same thing about his friends.
The only person who was exactly like she thought was Tricia.
“You look cute, angel,” Nathan took Kimmy’s side, his hand still sitting softly on the center of her back. “You know I love brunettes.”
Was this part of the act? God, she hoped so. She looked away, her cheeks prickling with heat.
“Oh my God, Tulsa,” Tricia said, gasping dramatically to draw in all of their attention. She’d been disinterested in everything until that moment. Now her expression was open and dramatic, and Tully sensed a hint of something more sly under her faux surprise. “Isn’t that your ex?”
“Your ex?” Kimmy asked, and followed Tricia’s conspicuous finger pointing across the parking lot.
Tully went stiff.
