Page 93 of Falling for Keeps

“You’re breaking my heart.”

“I’d try, if you really want me to.”

“Hey, you don’t make me pull a hook out of a living thing’s mouth, and I won’t make you read anything longer than a text.”

Carson stops so close to me, his toes are almost touching mine. “Deal.”

Seth slings his arm around my shoulders as he walks me to my car now that the game’s over. It’s dark; the stars are visible despite the blaring stadium lights. I want to warm up with some hot chocolate when I get home, just to unthaw my fingers.

“Did you have a good time?” Seth asks. “I think everyone we know was here.”

“It was a nail-biter for a second there, I think.”

Seth laughs. “Pretty typical, you know. Book nerd who knows nothing about sports.”

“I really never cared to learn. But my dad took me to a Giants game once and I could see the appeal.”

“Could you follow it?”

“No. Can you?”

“Yeah, but I like football.” We reach my car and Seth pulls me in for a hug.

As soon as he’s squeezed, I step back, making sure there’s a healthy distance between us.

“Should I pick you up for the dance tomorrow?”

“We aren’t dating, Seth. This whole thing tonight was just as friends, which I was super clear about.”

“Except when you said I had a chance.”

“I told you I had fun.”

“You know how I took it, though.”

He’s right. This is totally on me. “Are you exclusively talking to me?”

“Not really.” He’s quick to be honest, so at least there’s that. “I’ve been talking to Mina, too. But she lives in Burlington and I haven’t seen her since the party. And we haven’t made the decision to be exclusive.”

I owe him the truth, too. “I like someone else.”

He leans on one foot, nodding.

“It probably won’t go anywhere,” I say. “But I owe it to you to keep this thing as friends. It’s not fair otherwise, Seth.”

“What if I want to take you to the dance anyway, being in full possession of the facts?”

“It’s pointless.”

He shrugs. “I like hanging out with you.”

“As friends?”

“Yeah. I can be the one who makes that other guy jealous. Isn’t that what they do in all those movies?”

“That’s a terrible plan. We’re friends, okay? That’s it.”

He gives me a long look. I can sense the moment understanding settles and he accepts it won’t go anywhere between us. “Okay, Emma. Friends.”