"That's Stass to you," she said, throwing me a wink. "And I only said it because, like many pretty people, I'm sure Tolliver gets stereotyped."
My brows furrowed.
"He's not your typical jock."
"I know."
"He has real feelings."
"I know that too," I said.
"But he's also still a guy. And sometimes, guys have to be hit over the head with the truth."
Stacia went back to assembling the favors, and I stared at her.
Catching my gaze, she rolled her eyes. "Just tell him what's in your heart."
"I will," I said.
"You can do it, Freya. Be brave—because you are."
"Thanks for the pep talk."
Stacia patted my shoulder. "Any time. Now, hand me those party favors you just made. They are atrocious."
We laughed our way through the rest of our time.
All the while I was thinking...tomorrow.
I would do it tomorrow.
My grounding would officially end. Tolliver would come back to read with me. And I didn’t care what it took or how embarrassing it might turn out; I was going to tell him.
Tomorrow.
* * *
"Freya?"
"Hmmm?"
"Is something wrong?" Tolliver asked.
Blinking, I looked away from the book in front of me and back over my shoulder, meeting his gaze. "No, everything's good. Why?"
"I don't know," Tolliver said. "You seem jumpy today."
Because I was.
"Is it me? Do you want me to back up or something?"
"No, you're fine," I said.
"You sure?"
I nodded, and we went back to reading.
"Also," he said a minute later, "either you're reading much slower, or you keep forgetting to tell me to turn the page."
