Page 5 of A Million To Fall

His expression falters the second Lily gifts Boston her brightest smile.

“I really hope you can make it, Boss,” she says.

Jonathan busts up laughing. “Fuck dude, I told you Lil isn’t interested. She has the hots for Boss.”

I for one think it would be a lot more convenient if she was attracted to Pacey.

Lily turns crimson while Jake laughs at Pacey’s offended expression.

“What’s funny?” another voice booms over the noise.

It’s Archer, the captain of the varsity soccer team Jake, Pacey, and Jonathan play on.

Jake grins slyly. “Oh, just Pacey here still trying his luck with Lily who very obviously wants to jump Boston’s bones.”

Archer comes to a stop next to Lily. “If you want my opinion, Pace is the superior option.”

I can’t agree with that.

“I gotta get to class,” Boston mutters, hiking his backpack over his shoulder. “Congrats again, Skye.”

He gives me a hug. Quick, but not so fast that I don’t get a whiff of his scent—body wash, something woodsy, and a little bit like that first rain after a long, hot summer. My eyes flutter.

“Friday!” Jake calls after Boston, who just raises his hand in acknowledgement. I still don’t know what he was going to ask me.

“Yeah, me too,” Lily says quietly, her face beet red. “I’ll see you in history.”

The group disperses with see-you-laters, and I make my way to Econ, the scent of rain still in my nose.

“Skye,” Archer calls, then falls into step beside me.

“Hey, Arch.”

“What time do you want me to come pick you up on Friday?”

I stop dead. “What?”

“What time should I come get you?” he repeats, smirking. “For Jake’s party.”

I frown. “Uhh… I… Why would you pick me up?”

He chuckles. “You’re my date on Friday.”

My first instinct is to laugh. My second is to rummage through my brain. Maybe I forgot about some conversation we had? But I’m pretty sure I’d remember.

Archer’s Mister Popular—tall and conditioned. His ash blond hair and blue eyes make him look like a member of a boyband, and he very well knows it.

“Oh, am I?” I giggle, flustered.

“Yeah, obviously,” he says. “The most beautiful girl at school should show up to Jake’s birthday party with the most handsome guy at school, don’t you think?”

I stare at him. I am the most beautiful girl here? Sure, I’ve been asked out before, and I don’t think I’m ugly or anything, but I’m pretty sure there are more beautiful girls at my high school. Tessa, for example—the captain of the figure skating team—and Dalia, who’s been popular with the boys since she came back to school with D cups the summer after freshman year.

“Uhh…” I stutter. “I gotta… My parents—” No way they’re going to let me go to a party with a boy. No. Way.

Archer chuckles. “Just tell them Orson Longfellow’s son asked you out,” he says with a wide smile. “I’ll swing by at seven.”

The bell rings.