A kind heart in a broad chest.
A Tolliver in a world full of Waynes.
"That's because you're you," I finally said. "Still want to be my fake boyfriend for the night?"
The look in Tolliver's eyes, the curve of his smile, made the night brighter. "Freya Kent, I'll be your anything."
Goodness.
If I made it through this party with my heart intact, it would be a miracle.
* * *
"Yo, Stone."
"Tolliver."
"Hey, T."
"Tolliver Stone, what is up, my dude?"
And on it went.
A bunch of people here knew Tolliver. Actually, strike that.Everyoneknew Tolliver. Made sense. They played hockey together and/or went to our school. Since we came in, there hadn't been a moment when someone wasn't calling his name.
Actually, I was pretty sure I could time it.
In five, four, three, two...
"Hey, hey, Tolliver!"
I grinned to myself.
Tolliver nodded at the guy then turned toward me.
"No offense, Freya," Tolliver said, keeping his voice low, "but if I make it through this without decking someone, it'll be a miracle."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Everyone's staring at you."
I laughed, but the sound couldn't be heard over the music blasting through the house speakers. "Yeah, right."
"I'm serious."
"No one knows me here besides you and Sabrina." And Wayne, I thought but didn't say. I hadn't seen the birthday girl yet, but her brother was another story. I caught his glare once and ignored it. "You, on the other hand"—I nudged Tolliver with my arm—"are popular. Seriously, is there anyone you're not friends with?"
"I don't have that many friends," he said.
"Could've fooled me," I said. "People keep coming up to you."
"Because they're curious aboutyou." I scoffed, but he glanced around the room then pulled me closer. "They're all circling. And if your ex doesn't stop checking you out, he and I are going to have words."
"Tolliver," I said with a smile, glancing up at him, "you deserve a freaking Oscar."
"Huh?"
Pulling him down by the collar, so I could speak into his ear, I said, "You're playing the jealous boyfriend role amazingly."
