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“So why don’t you guys talk in school?”
Thatwasthe main question, wasn’t it?
“I honestly don’t know, especially since he was the one to give me his phone number and email first. Although he did approach me after lunch today.”
“Details.”
“He basically just introduced himself.”
“And your emails, what do you guys talk about?”
“Not much, but he’s offered to take me to his friend for my tattoo.”
Her eyes sparkled as she lightly knocked her shoulder into mine. “That was nice of him to offer. What else does he have to say?”
“He's going tonight because I am.”
Poppy beamed. “So tell me again how operation “Win Sebastian” is never going to happen?” She hopped off the bed. “Now I’ve more of a reason to get you all dolled up. Come on.”
Two hours later, Shawn, Poppy, Sophia and I headed to the party. Poppy really was good. My black, straight hair now had a wave—falling in soft curls around my face. She lengthened my lashes with mascara, tinted my cheeks, my eyelids and my lips. Hip-hugging faded blue jeans, black leather boots—with a matching belt—and a halter top in emerald-green satin with a very low neckline were the clothes she selected for me and I had to say, I really liked it.
“I can’t believe you aren’t wearing black.” Sophia sounded almost in awe.
“I will concede Poppy may have been onto something with losing the black.”
We arrived at the party. Damian’s parents were off skiing and apparently they had no problem with him having what they thought were a few friends over. Clearly Damian and I had different definitions for how many people constituted “a few”. We climbed from the car and Sophia touched my arm. “There's Tyler. I’ll see you guys later.”
And off she went. Sophia was in love again. Grinning to myself, I wondered how long it would last this time. Upon entering, I immediately saw Kira with Mica. I moved through the crowd hoping they wouldn't see me because, as rumor would have it, when Kira drank she tended to get even nastier than she was when sober. Poppy, Shawn and I mingled inside for a bit, but then I just wanted some fresh air, so I headed outside to the fire pit.
I didn’t see Bastian and was tempted to text him, but what exactly would I say? Instead, I took a seat by the fire and quickly became mesmerized by the flames dancing against the darkening sky.
Not much time had passed, when I heard the sound of someone approaching. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of Bastian moving across the lawn to me. As if on cue, my body responded to his nearness: tingles, sweaty palms and a pounding in my chest.
He swept his gaze over me from head to toe and back again. “You're beautiful.”
At the compliment, I lowered my head, suddenly feeling rather shy.
He crouched down in front of me and reached for my chin, straightening my head so I was looking into his eyes before saying, “It's really crowded here. Do you want to leave?”
Leave with him? Hell, yeah. Shyness took a back seat to excitement. “I have to tell Poppy.”
He reached for my hand and linked our fingers. My pulse pounded in my throat over that act but with how easily he offered it, I wondered if it meant to him what it did to me. “Let’s go find her.”
Poppy and Shawn were just making their way outside when they stopped in mid-step at the sight of Bastian and me walking hand in hand toward the house, because they knew all too well that hand holding was not an everyday occurrence for me.
As soon as we reached them, I made the introductions. “Poppy, Shawn, this is Bastian.”
Shawn and Bastian shook hands as Poppy unconsciously fluffed her hair. Because she knew me so well, she spoke up before I could. “There are too many “populars” here, so Shawn and I were going to ditch. Do you mind, Lark?”
“No, not at all.”
“Okay, well, you have the house key, right? So I’ll see you at home.”
Turning to Bastian, I asked, “Give me a second?”
“Sure.”
Playfully nudging Poppy along, we separated ourselves from the guys. “Thanks for that.”
