Okay, new plan,I tell myself.First step in winning over my girl: Stop that date.
My phone rings, and I grunt out a hello as I answer it.
“Well, hello to you too,” Grant says sarcastically.
“What’s up, man?”
“Just calling to check in.How’s it going?”
“It’s going,” I grumble as I climb back into my police cruiser, switching the phone to my other ear.“What’s new with you?”
I try to listen to what my friend says, but all my thoughts are on my girl.I take one last look up at her apartment before I pull out onto the quiet street and drive back to the police station.
3
Suri
I barely slept last night.I tossed and turned for hours, my mind and body at war.I was kicking myself for lying to Devon about having a date, for turning him down when he asked me out.I mean, I’ve been dreaming about that happening for years, and now it finally does, and I’m too pissed off to agree?
Then I think about what he said.How he acted like I should have been sitting around and pining for him all this time, and… okay, I have been, but he doesn’t know that!With one sentence, he made me feel like that dorky freshman who trailed after him like a lovesick puppy—the one he never so much as looked at once.
I hate feeling like that.I’ve worked hard over the last few years to gain confidence, to work on my self-esteem.One moment with Devon, and I’m not sure if any of my work over the last four years did anything at all.
I rub the sleep from my eyes as I trudge into the kitchen, grabbing a cherry Pop-Tart out of the cupboard.I toss a protein bar, some yogurt, and a sandwich into my lunch bag, grab my keys, and head out.
Like yesterday, as soon as I step outside, Devon is there, leaning against his police cruiser.He straightens when he sees me, giving me a careful smile.I glare at him, turning toward my car.
“Morning, Suri.You’re looking lovely today.”
“What do you want?”I ask as I unlock my old Toyota and toss my things into the passenger seat.
“Still going on your date tonight?Or have your plans changed?”
“Still going,” I lie, wondering if it’s possible to find someone to go out with in a few short hours.
I slam the passenger door and glance at Devon.He looks pissed.No, he’s downright furious.I briefly wonder if I should tell him the truth.
And look like even more of a loser?
I feel so pathetic for having a crush on a guy for a decade and being invisible to him for all of it.Why is he here?Why is he trying to get me to go out with him?What’s his motive?Does he think I’ll be an easy lay in this new town where neither one of us knows anyone?Are there no other single women in town for him to focus on instead?
“Where is he taking you?”Devon asks through his teeth.
“Palmer’s.”
His jaw clicks.
I shift on my feet.I hate lying to people.I’ve never been great at it, but Devon can’t seem to tell.
Because he doesn’t know you.Not outside your writing.
“Well… see ya,” I say awkwardly, turning and speed-walking around the hood of my car.
“Suri—”
I slip behind the wheel and close the door before he can say anything else.
My head and my heart are a mess.I need to figure out what I want to say to him.What do I want from him?Once I have that figured out, I’ll be prepared to see him again.
