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“Biochemistry.”
“Wow.” My brain might just explode. “That’s intense.”
He glances away with a humble laugh. “It’s for dentistry.”
“I rest my case. Intense.” Smiling around him comes so naturally. “Science is not my strong suit. I can’t wrap my brain around it. I’m pretty sure it was my lowest score on the ACT.”
“See, I’m the opposite. I don’t know why. It just clicks for me.”
“Well, aren’t you blessed,” I mock, shoving his shoulder. “Have you decided what kind of dentist you want to be?”
“Depends on how much schooling I want to do.” He grimaces. “For now, I’m debating between orthodontia and endodontics, but I’ve got another year to decide.” Anders swivels on the stool, his legs scissoring mine as he drifts closer. “What about you? What are you majoring in atBerkeley?”
I roll my eyes, knowing Claire must have told him. “Something with dance and theater. I haven’t decided exactly.”
“Still a ballerina, I assume.”
I shrug. “Among other things.”
“You never have danced for me. Well, other than that talent show we put on as kids.” There’s a change in his smile with his words, almost flirtatious. “I think it’s about time, don’t you?”
A flutter rolls through my stomach. Is Anders hitting on me?
I gesture around the crowded bar. “Not exactly the best venue for my craft. Ballet and rock don’t necessarily go together.”
“We can go somewhere else.” A twinkle in his eye flickers with his megawatt smile. Okay. Definitely hitting on me.
Tempting as performing for an audience of one sounds—not—I think I’d rather bathe in molasses. “Maybe next time.”
“What makes you so sure there’s going to be a next time? You could be married off when we see each other again.”
Fighting back a grin, I shake my head. “I highly doubt that.”
“A gorgeous girl like you, Nova, at the least you’ll have some lucky bastard who’s snatched you up, if not put a ring on your finger.”
Who is this Anders? We’ve been flirty before, but not like this. This officially has gone beyond watching me do a few pirouettes.
Our stare clings, his warming, suggestive. It’s a balm for my jilted heart, but I’m not sure I want to go there. I chuckle with a twirl of my charm bracelet and glance away, brushing off his advances as graciously as possible. I’d hate to hurt his feelings. It’s not that Anders isn’t attractive or that I wouldn’t take him up on some no-strings distraction at any other time, but tonight doesn’t seem right.
With the bar dim and smoke from the stage drifting around, I don’t see Devin and Claire at the pool tables anymore. Did they ditch us again? Then I make out Devin’s black polo and Claire’s pink top in the corner, away from the overhead light. And they’re kissing, bodies tangled.
A visceral pit forms in my belly. I don’t know how long they’ve been going at it, but not a minute later, Claire is tugging on Devin’s hand, leading him away, out of the bar. Not once does he look for me. Does he even know we’re here?
I almost get to my feet. To do what? Stop them? Like Devin would listen, and I have no excuse. Other than I’ve given him multiple opportunities to kiss me, and I’ve been given the brush off. He met Claire three hours ago, and that’s good enough for him? Screw that. And screw him.
“Hey, Nova.” Anders’ hand closes around my knee. “You all right?”
“What?” I focus back on him and toss my hand in the air. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Just spaced out.”
It would be easy to give into Anders’ advances now, but I refuse to use him for my own vendetta. Like Devin would care. He probably has his cinnamon-coated tongue down Claire’s throat and his hand up her shirt already.
Why am I even upset? This is stupid. And now the backs of my eyes are pricking with tears. I cannot let Anders see how this affects me. He probably doesn’t know they were making out and left together. And I’m not about to try and dissect why it bothers me.
Taking a deep breath, I toss my hair back and chug the rest of my drink, holding my hand out to Anders. “Let’s head back to the stage and listen to some music. Who knows? These guys might be somebody someday.”
thirteen | devin
My thoughts areas dark as the heavy clouds in the dawning sky when I head out for a jog the following morning. I can’t believe I left Nova at the restaurant alone with Anders. I can’t believe I went with his sister. With Nova’s friend. I’m Logan 2.0.
