Page 96 of Where Roads Lead

Before Ava or Theo could protest, I turned on my heel and headed off through the cornemuse, Elsie still attached firmly to my side.

“I’m not going to leave you in the dark, you know,” I told her. “You don’t have to have such a death grip.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, making no move to loosen her hold on me. “I just really don’t like scary things.”

“This isn’t technically scary.” I almost laughed. “It’s just a corn maze.”

“At night,” she clarified. “And we’re lost. And isn’t being lost at night the way every scary movie starts off?”

“I thought you didn’t watch scary movies.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m not familiar with the formula,” she said. “Hey, can you walk a little slower? My legs are a lot shorter than yours.”

I paused, turning to face her.

“Why’d you want to come with me, anyway?” I asked because my mind hadn’t quieted down since she first latched onto me.

“Because I trust you to get us out,” she said easily.

“Over Theo?”

“Over anyone.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I stared down at her, trying to discern her meaning.

“I just mean,” she went to explain, pulling her arm free, “that you’re very…goal-oriented. You see things through. If you want to get out, I have complete faith that you will. Theo seems pretty content to just let things take their course.”

I snorted, continuing forward. “That’s pretty spot on.”

“And Ava, well, she seems too pissed off about who knows what to plan her next move clearly,” she said, falling in stride next to me. “Which leaves you.”

“Can I ask you something?” I said, not meeting her eyes. “Why did you even agree to come tonight? I mean, do you like Theo?”

“Yeah, I like Theo. He’s fine.”

“No, I mean, do you like him?” I emphasized, feeling ridiculous.

“Ohhh.” She grinned. “You mean, do I have a crush on your friend?”

I held my breath, waiting for her answer.

“Well, the answer to that is no, but like I said, I’ve been lonely for company.”

Relief hit me like a wall. One I’d gladly run headfirst into.

“Well, FYI—” I told her, “next time you’re lonely for company, I wouldn’t agree to a one-on-one hang out session with a guy at night. He might misinterpret your intentions toward him.”

It was bullshit, but maybe I just didn’t want her hanging out with him at all. Platonically or not, it sent a feeling of unease through me.

“I hung out with you at night.” She frowned. “At the café. Remember?”

“That’s different. We’re not—I mean, I’m not—”

“Interested in me?” she said. “I know. You’ve made that very clear.”

Have I?

Because as far as I remembered, the only thing that had been made clear was that she wasn’t interested in me.