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Blowing out a breath, I slam to a stop in the middle of the hallway. Someone behind me chews me out as they nearly run into me, but I ignore them.
“Look,” I say as Blaise slows to a stop beside me. “I know that we”—I internally cringe at what I’m about to say—“that we kissed last night and I fell asleep beside you … And I really appreciate that you helped me out and let me cry on you like a psycho—”
“You’re not a psycho,” he says then his lips tug into a half-smile. “And I didn’t mind letting you cry on me.”
“I doubt that’s true, but it’s beside the point. And I think … I mean … Can we …?” Jesus, what the hell is wrong with me? Since when did I turn into a sputtering mess around a guy? “We’re friends, right? I mean, kind of?”
He gives me a funny look. “Is that your way of asking me to be your friend?”
“No. I just want to make sure we’re friends … You know, because of the whole kissing thing.”
“What kissing thing?” he tries to tease but misses the mark as a hint of nervousness creeps into his expression.
“You know, that would’ve been a good comeback had you not just mentioned the kiss, like, two seconds ago.”
He sighs. “Fair enough. I’ll give you that one.”
I can’t help smiling a little bit, but then I realize I’m getting distracted by him again and mentally kick my ass back to reality. “Anyway, I want to make sure we’re friends.”
He stares at me for a beat or two before saying, “Yeah, we are.” He eyes me over, shifting his weight. “Are you acting weird because of the kiss? Because, it really feels like … and I … I don’t …” He presses his lips together and shakes his head.
I’m not sure what he’s trying to say. And honestly, I’m sure I’m being just as confusing.
“I’m just trying to make sure that we’re friends, because sometimes kissing can complicate stuff. I have way too much to deal with right now and I don’t want to add any more.”
“I know,” he says, and it’s the truth. Blaise does know about the complications, which is a first for me, since I usually keep stuff to myself.
As my insides start to feel a bit shaky, I decide to change the subject. “Totally off the subject, but did you find out anything about the bags?”
His apologetic expression says it all. “Unfortunately, my dad isn’t going to be any help with that.”
“Dammit,” I mutter. “Though, I’m not surprised.”
“I’m sorry. I wish he wasn’t such an asshole.” He starts to reach toward my face but then pulls back and stuffs his hand into his pocket. “I still have a couple of other ideas on how to find them. Do you want to have lunch with me and we’ll talk about it?” When I waver, he adds, “Friends can have lunch together, Hadley. I’m not asking you out on a date or anything like that.”
Relief washes over me. “Okay, yeah, let’s meet up for lunch.”
He visibly relaxes, making me realize he was a bit stiff before. “Meet me at my car at lunch then?”
“Can we eat here?” Not that I prefer cafeteria food, but I’d like to check on my sisters at lunchtime.
“Have you had the cafeteria food yet?” he asks with his brow cocked.
I shake my head. “No.”
“Well, you should probably leave that answer how it is.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Every day is like meatloaf surprise. And by that, I mean, no one really knows what they’re eating, so we just call it meatloaf surprise.”
I scrunch my nose. “Ew.”
“Yeah, definitelyew,” he agrees. “Although, you did refer to me playing football asew, too, and I’m thinking I might be a bit offended by the comparison.”
“I think it’s a pretty accurate comparison.” I grin when he aims a playful scowl at me. “But I guess if I have to pick between the two, I choose going to lunch with the ewie football player over eating the ewie cafeteria food.”
He rolls his tongue in his mouth to conceal his smile. “Sounds good. And I’ll try my best not to get my ewie football cooties all over you.”
