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“Oh yeah, what are your motives?”
I lean in closer, a mischievous grin playing on my lips. “I have a cunning plan designed to convince you that Syracuse is a horrible place where you will surely be brought to your doom.”
“That’s it?” She shrugs. “That doesn’t sound so sinister.”
“Well, obviously, I can’t share all of my more sinister plans with you, mwahahaha.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.
Liz chuckles and kisses the corner of my mouth, just a friendly little quick peck. She jerks back as though it burned her lips.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”
“We’re friends, Liz. You can kiss me anytime you want.”
I have to look away. I don’t want her to see my smile, or the pleased expression I’m sure is on my face. I still have the power to fluster her. That means I have a chance.
“Friends don’t kiss,” she disagrees vehemently. She nervously picks up her drink and finishes it. She scans the room slowly, looking everywhere except at me.
Liz seems to be losing some of her composure. She’s off balance. A thrill races through me at the realization. She plays it cool, but she’s as affected by our closeness as I am. Every night, I’ve been fighting the urge to pull her to me and kiss her until she begs me for more. When I came up with this idea of spending time with her, I didn’t realize what a toll it would take on me. Being near her but not being able to show my feelings has been nearly impossible.
The server chooses that moment to drop off more drinks. Seconds later, our food arrives.
“This looks great,” I say to break the silence.
“Yes, it does.”
“Liz, I just have to say something. I’m really enjoying being with you. I don’t know what I’ll do when you leave.”
She’s moving her fork around on her plate, not eating. “I’m going to miss you, too. You’re making it incredibly hard to leave, if I’m being honest.”
“We’ve become really good friends, haven’t we?”
She nods, and there’s almost a sadness in her eyes, regret. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m making the right move by leaving.”
You’re not making the right move, I want to scream.This is the worst thing you could possibly do.For the first time, I’m seeing a crack in herexterior. She’s opening up to me about her doubts. This is just what I needed: a way in—a way for her to be open to the possibility of what could happen if she stayed.
“You don’t have to leave. You can stay here and go back to school. You know I’ll help you.”
“It’s not just school. I need a fresh start. Being here, it’s . . . difficult.”
“It doesn’t need to be difficult. Let me help you. Liz, you want to be here, and I want you here. You have no idea how much.”
She shakes her head resolutely. “I’ve already accepted the new job, quit the old one, and given up my apartment here. It’s done, no turning back now.”
“None of that sounds irreversible. I wish I could convince you to stay.” I pause. “However, if you’re really determined to leave, then let’s just make the most of the time you are here.”
She seems relieved that I gave in so easily. She smiles warmly. “Deal. You know I don’t need all of the extravagant dates, right? We can just hang out at home.”
“Should we seal the deal with a kiss?” I tease.
“I told you that friends don’t kiss,” she singsongs, wagging her finger at me.
She thinks I was joking. But now that a kiss was mentioned, it’s all I can think of. I rub my finger on her bottom lip as I whisper, “We should just try it and see if it works. Experimental purposes only.”
“Ethan . . .” she warns.
She is interrupted by the server dropping off fresh drinks. Liz picks up her glass and looks at me over the rim. She takes a delicate sip. “Mmm, this is tasty. Want to try it?”
I know she’s trying to change the subject but failing miserably. I’m so damn jealous of that glass. The way her lush lips hang onto the side is making me think of all the places I’d rather her lips be.
