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As the day draws to a close, and Jewel is off for another of her classes, I’m inhaling the scents of mouthwatering rosemary and garlic from next door. I’m thinking ahead to what I’ll have for dinner. Maybe noodles from the Chinese place down the street.
Then a text comes in.
Liv. Hey
Hello?
Its Owen. Yes, I have your number
My stomach somersaults. I don’t like it.
I’ll ask how you got my number later
C’mon over. We’ll make you some veggies
Oh my God. He’s inviting me over. Like to hang out. Spend time together. Eat food.
Give me 5
21
LIVVY
Before I left this morning,Ijust so happenedto slip some bronzer and lip gloss in my bag, so I stand in front of the cracked hand mirror hanging in my closet-slash-office and get to work. Not because I care to impress the guys. It’s just that it’s been a busy day and I might appear a little… tired.
I look at myself from as many angles as I can muster in the small mirror and lousy lighting. I want to use enough makeup to liven myself up, but not so much it looks like I’m trying hard.
Or trying at all.
Ugh. Who am I trying to fool? I’ve never been a cool girl, and I certainly haven’t turned into one overnight. Even if I did mess around with two gorgeous guys less than twenty-four hours ago.
I adjust my boobs to give them the desiredoomph, make sure I don’t have a wedgie, and leave for the day after I’ve fed the grumpy cat. I hesitate outside Pawsh Pets for a minute while I mentally collect a few topics of potential conversation, in case I get tongue-tied. I read an article about this recently, successfully making non-boring small talk, inGlisten Magazine, my favorite publication in the world. It’s best to be prepared.
Have you ever tried strawberries on pizza?
Did you know some people can peel bananas with their feet?
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?
Okay, that last one is a tired old standby, but the article says it works like a charm if you absolutely, positively, run out of things to say.
Convinced I’m ready, or as ready as I’ll ever be, I walk the last few steps to EastSide, and saunter in like I was invited there.
Which I was.
Be cool. Be cool.
Owen is at my side in seconds, which makes my heart jump like the idiot I am. I’m sure these guys are only being nice to me so they can snag my store if and when we manage to fend off the evil developer.
But I can enjoy the attention while it lasts, right?
He places a soft hand on my upper arm and for a moment it seems like he’s going to kiss me or something. But he stops and pulls back. It’s all good though, because he flashes me that mega-watt smile, and if that’s all I get from him for the rest of my life, that will be okay.
He ushers me over to a small table with a nice view of the entire restaurant. “This is the table we reserve for special guests.”
I shake my head. “Oh no, I don’t have to sit here. You can give me a seat by the bathroom in the back. Please don’t fuss over me.”
“We’re not fussing. We are treating you the way you deserve to be treated.”
