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“Stop. Stop apologizing for being honest.”
“But I shouldn’t be honest. Not about this.”
“Yes, you should,” he replies slowly. “I shouldn’t be on my way to see you either, but I’ll be there soon.”
I sit up abruptly. “You’ll what?”
“I just turned into the parking lot.”
“Are you serious?” A rush of unstoppable joy shoots through my body.
“No, I like to make stupid jokes.”
“Haha, very funny. Are you really here?” I ask, sounding far too hopeful.
“Yes,” he says simply.
“You can’t come up. If someone sees you—” I haven’t even finished my sentence before I’m out of bed and slipping on my boots.
“You could come down,” he says, and again, I can hear him smiling.
“Yes, I could.” I sound as breathless as I feel.
“Are you coming?”
“I’m on my way.”
“See you soon, Ophelia.”
Chapter 52
Phoenix
Going to the school wasn’t right. Calling Lia probably wasn’t either, for that matter. On the other hand, the reason I did it was because my conversation with Clark and Brittany went very differently than I expected. Damn, how could that have been just yesterday? It feels like days have passed. Either way, it’s time Lia and I talked. And yes, maybe I should have waited. Maybe it was a stupid idea to want to talk to her today, of all days. But maybe not.
I’ve just parked the car when the passenger door swings open, and Lia climbs into the seat. Her cheeks are flushed, and I’d like to imagine it’s because of me and not because she isn’t wearing a jacket and it’s cold outside. She looks tired, but her eyes light up when they meet mine.
“Hi,” she says breathlessly.
“Hi.” I’m just as breathless, even though I’ve only been sitting in the car.
“You’re here.”
“So are you.” I can’t help but smile.
“But you shouldn’t be.”
“Neither should you.”
She smiles. “We’re really good at doing exactly what we shouldn’t do.”
“Seems to be our thing, somehow.”
Her smile fades. “Phoenix, we really shouldn’t be here.”
“Do you want to go back to the dorm?” I clench the steering wheel, my pulse pounding in my ears. If she says yes . . .
“No, but . . . we can’t keep doing this. This back-and-forth is . . . exhausting.”
