Page 3
I’m catching my breath, remembering I even have breath, as Eloise breezes in. She’s practically a fireball, full of heat and direction, and when she sees me slumped against the chalkboard like a deflated balloon, her grin turns Cheshire. “So,” she says, stretching the vowel so long I wonder if it’ll snap, “Ian Hot has gotten even hotter with age.”
I blink, fighting for dignity. “Oh, please. I barely noticed he was even here.”
Eloise laughs. Not just giggles, but full-on laughter that ricochets off the classroom walls. She leans in close, her eyebrow arched like she’s auditioning for a spy movie. “You’re a terrible liar, you know. I was standing right down the hall when you walked him out. I saw it all for myself.”
“I am not lying!” I sputter, managing to find a shred of offense in her teasing.
She smirks. “Sage, you looked like you were about to melt into a puddle. I’m surprised you’re still standing.”
“Well, excuse me for getting a little flustered,” I huff, though it’s impossible to hide my own amusement.
“A little?” she chides. “Try a lot.” She sits on the edge of the desk in front of me, her own self-satisfaction spreading like wildfire.
I try to collect myself, pushing off from the chalkboard. “He was kinda hot.”
“Kinda?” Her eyes are wide with exaggeration. “Seriously, Sage. That man could make a nun question her vows.”
“I guess.” I shrug, hoping to pull off nonchalant.
“Oh my God!” she howls, throwing back her head. “You are ridiculous!”
“Fine!” I say, breaking into a laugh. “He’s... something, alright? I wanted to jump his bones. Is that better?”
Eloise rises and moves around the desk, a mischievous look crossing her face. "That's much better. I must admit, it was very rewarding to watch you stutter, blush, and struggle to recall your own name over a man.”
I put on my best offended face, but it’s futile. “I’m glad I could entertain you,” I counter, trying to salvage the last shreds of my pride.
She sighs like a mother explaining the rules of the world to her child. “Plus, Mr. Hot appeared just as smitten with you.”
“I seriously doubt that,” I insist, knowing the hot fireman is way out of my league.
“Stop.” She flings her hands in the air. “You’re gorgeous and Ian Hot would be lucky to win your heart.”
“You’re totally biased.” I laugh. Eloise has been my best friend since I saved her from an aggressive monkey bar in second grade.
Her eyes sparkle with the challenge. “I love you, Sagey.”
“I love you, too, Weezy.” I roll my eyes at our silly nicknames for each other. At least my insistent bestie lets the subject of Ian Hot drop. For now.
She plops down next to me. “Now, it’s time for us to get home before Winnie takes out a hit on us for her late dinner.”
She’s not wrong. My spoiled rotten Chihuahua doesn’t wait for food.
As we walk out to her car, Eloise gets her second wind. “But seriously, Ian Hot is even hotter all grown up.”
“I didn’t realize you knew him before today.” I drop into the passenger seat while Eloise climbs in behind the wheel.
Eloise looks at me and mutters quietly, “I’ve had a secret crush on Atlas Hot, forever.”
“Atlas? Ian’s older brother? He’s got to be like forty.”
“Not forty.” She shakes her head furiously. “He’s only thirty-three. Ten years older isn’t bad.”
I roll my eyes. “I can’t believe you never told me about this crush.”
“What can I say? A girl’s got to have her secrets.”
The admission cracks me up. “Wow.”
