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When I glance at the girls, I find them all studying me and Auden like we’re specimens under a microscope.
Annabel glances at Cassie, then at me, before finally replying to Auden. “Maybe.”
“See you girls at Josh’s?” I ask. He hosts more parties than Hollywood, especially in the summer.
“If you’re lucky,” Cassie replies.
I’m tempted to roll my eyes. “You ready?” I ask Auden.
She nods. “Yeah.”
I start walking toward my car.
She follows, falling into step beside me. “I think you might have ruined the chances of me making any friends here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m kind of getting the sense that you don’t usually do this sort of thing.”
I smirk. “This sort of thing?”
“According to the grilling Annabel gave me last night, you—”
“Elliot!”
I pause and turn to see Cassie has left the porch and is following us. “Yeah?” I ask once she reaches us.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” She glances at Auden. “Alone?”
I dig my car keys out of my pockets and hand them to Auden. “I’ll be right there.”
Auden nods and keeps walking.
“What the hell, Elliot?” Cassie asks as soon as Auden has walked away. “You show up at Josh’s with this girl, and I hear you got breakfast at Sydney’s with her yesterday? Are youdatingher?” She says dating in the tone others might say dumpster diving.
“No, I’m not,” I reply. “But if I were, it wouldn’t be any of your business, Cassie. I know I was clear about what we were—what wearen’t.” She huffs and looks away but doesn’t argue. We both know I was. “I’ll see you at Josh’s later?”
She nods.
I do too then turn and head for my SUV. Auden is already in the passenger seat.
She glances over when I climb into the car. “Ex?”
“No. I don’t date.”
“That seems to be a popular decision around here.”
I shrug. “I told you why.”
“Yeah, you did. You didn’t tell me why you’re doingthis.” She waves a finger between us.
“This?”
“I don’t need pity, Elliot. That’s not why I told you about my parents.”
I sigh and stare out at the street. “It’s not pity. I… You were right the other night. I’m popular—because peoplewantsomething from me. A hookup. Social status by extension. Dirt about my deadbeat dad. To show off the stats they memorized. Butyou?” I look over and hold her gaze. “I don’t feel like you want anything from me. Like I could tell you something—anything—without worrying that the whole town will hear about it. I could use a friend like that. And you…I know you have friends back home, but did you tellthemabout your parents? Why you’rereallyhere?” Her face tells me the answer. “It seems like you could use someone to talk to, too.” Her face stays impassive. I hold a hand out. “So…what do you say, Denny? Friends?Bestfriends?”
I pull out the grin that has a pretty high success rate, especially with girls, and quirk a brow.Your move.
