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But at least she follows directions.
Rylee slides into her desk, second column, very first row. I snatch the planet’s quiz she missed yesterday and hand her the sheet of paper.
“I’m still voting for touch. Sometimes what you can’t say with words, you can say with a touch.” She taps her pencil on the desktop.
“You’ve got twenty minutes. I’m starting your clock now.” I ignore everything else she’s saying—though I’m secretly taking notes in my head.
There’s a text waiting for me back at my desk.
Annie: Have I ever told you how much I love you? You are the best best friend the world has ever known.
“See?” Rylee says, just behind me.
“Whoa!” My arms jerk, and I slam my phone onto the desktop.
She is a slithering snake, sneaking up on me in the night. Only it’s daytime, and she’s a thirteen-year-old girl.
“You need to let her know that you’re more than just a friend, Mr. B.” She holds out the paper I just handed her. “And this is the wrong quiz. I took this one last week.”
25
Owen
“T
his is dumb.” Levi hangs a blanket over the exposed insulation in my living room. “Why would you want to hold a partyhere?”
“It’s Annie’s party. Not mine. She’s in charge of her office party this year.”
“Then why isn’t she holding it at her place or the office?”
“They’re both too small. Besides, she says my place has a certain look that’ll be good for the party.”
Levi grunts and crosses his arms over his chest. “If the look she’s going for is falling apart, then yeah, it’s absolutely got that look.”
“It is a Halloween party.” I pick up the last of the tools, ready to take it upstairs. Hopefully, there won’t be any partying up in my bedroom. “Are you and Meredith coming?”
“Did you already tell Mer about it?”
“Yeah. Annie texted her an invite.”
He grumbles out a little groan. “Then, we’ll be here.”
I smirk, though I’m not surprised. After living an extremely sheltered life, Meredith is ready to try anything good. And Levican’t deny her anything. Though, I know he’d rather be cozied under a blanket with Meredith and only Meredith.
“Perfect. Don’t forget your costume.” I snicker.
“Sure,” he says, slit eyes and nodding. “Don’t forget your pride. You’re a good man, Owen. The best. You shouldn’t have to beg for anyone.”
I swallow. I hear him. I do. But forget pride. I want the girl.
Ihad no idea how many people work for an online paper. My house is full. The living room, the kitchen, and the back porch are overflowing with bodies… zombies, vampires, cheerleaders, and doctors who really don’t look like doctors.
Annie came as a paleontologist, and she brought me a dinosaur costume—green sweats, top to bottom, and a cap with spikes. It’s not bad at all, and it ties me to her. I always like that.
Ask Annie’s advice: find ways to touch the girl. It’s a good idea. I like it… And yet, I keep hearing a thirteen-year-old girl tell me it’s a good idea. Somehow that makes it more difficult to follow through.
Meredith has dragged my brother out onto the dance floor—aka, the center of my living room—or maybe he’s dragged her. Levi Bailey is dancing… and he seems to be enjoying himself. I stand to the side and wave at an extremely joyful Meredith.
