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“You kiss your friends like that?”
“Yeah. Ask Jace. I kiss his forehead all the time.”
She laughs, a whole-body laugh that has her doubled over.
“I’m glad I could amuse you. I’ll be right back.”
I got her to laugh. She must be feeling better, not just physically, but about her situation. She still doesn’t know what she’s going to do, but hopefully by now she’s figured out she has people to help her. I’ll do anything she needs, and I think my mom would help her too.
When I get back downstairs, Nova’s picked out a movie to watch. She lays in my arms on the couch and I cover us with a blanket. It feels like we’re dating. I want that, but I don’t know how to get Nova to agree to it.
“Easton, you down here?” Jace yells.
Nova sits up and moves over a little.
Jace appears, looking surprised when he sees Nova. “Sorry. I didn’t know you had someone over.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was bored. I sent you a text. Didn’t you get it?”
“No, I was out cleaning the driveway.” I motion to the bar. “And my phone’s over there charging. I’m surprised my mom didn’t tell you Nova was here.”
“I didn’t see your mom. I let myself in. Came through the garage.” He sits down on the leather chair next to the couch. “So you’re the girl from the diner,” he says to Nova.
“Yeah.” She glances at him, then back at the TV.
“Now would be a good time to apologize for how you acted that night,” I say to Jace.
“Sorry.” He laughs a little. “If you knew me, you’d know I do shit like that all the time. I didn’t mean anything by it. It wasn’t personal.” He gets up and offers her his hand. “Are we good?”
“I’m sick,” she says. “I probably shouldn’t shake your hand.”
“Fuck, really?” He backs away and sits down.
“That was a really shitty apology,” I say, “but I guess it’s the best we can expect from you.”
Nova quietly laughs.
“So you want to go do something?” Jace asks, swiping through his phone.
“Did you not see the blizzard? They’re saying they don’t want people on the roads.”
“We don’t have to go far. We’ll go to Kevin’s house. Or we’ll go over to Liza’s. Annoy the girls. Bridget’s over there with Paris.”
Nova’s gaze shot to Jace as soon as he mentioned Paris.
“I’m not leaving,” I say to Jace. I put my arm around Nova. “I’m busy.”
He smiles. “You guys get back together?”
I wait for Nova to answer.
“Yeah.” She sinks back into my arms and slips her hand in mine.
“Is this why you wouldn’t go out with us last night?” Jace asks me.
“Yeah. I wanted to get home to her.” I kiss Nova’s forehead and she looks up at me and smiles. I know she’s just pretending for Jace’s sake, but it feels real, like she’s my girlfriend again.
