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Blink.
Blink.
“That’s right,” I finally choke out. “I did.”
“You did back then, you do now. No one does that, Mallory. Especially not eighteen-year-olds who are nothing more than chess pieces for adults to play in a game of status strategy.”
My eyes drift to the door Mom and Dad just went through. “That’s not who I am.”
“I know. That’s not who you were ten years ago, either.”
“Do you make your decisions based on what other people expect?” I ask him, head tilting as though it will help me understand his answer.
Step. We’re three feet apart as he moves closer. “Not anymore.”
Bzzzz.
My phone goes crazy in my pocket. I can’t ignore it. Breaking the spell between us, I step back and look. Four texts, the reminder about the reunion in one, the other three from Mom, Perky, Fiona.
The usual suspects.
“Go with me,” he says, bringing the magic back. But it feels like there’s a wall between us, one that shimmers with transparency but still separates us.
“Where?”
“To the reunion.”
“Me?” It comes out as a sonic boom of surprise.
“All my friends are married or have dates. I need to save face.” The words are joking. Tone is light. But those eyes, oh, those eyes are making offers I can’t believe are true.
Are they?
“I’m the last person you bring to a ten-year reunion if you’re trying to improve your reputation, buddy.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Look at me.”
“I am.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“It’s obvious you don’t see yourself the way I see you. I don’t understand why you would say that. You’re gorgeous. And smart. And funny. You’re the whole package.” He breathes, the sound making all the hair on my body tingle, moving like waves of grass on a windy day, drawn to him. “I was too stupid to see it ten years ago. I’m not quite as stupid now.”
“You’re pretty close.”
“Is that a no?”
“No. But look,” I say with a tiny, huffy laugh, “this isn’t some John Hughes movie from the ’80s where the popular guy plucks the shy, brainy girl from the crowd and kisses her over a birthday cake on a table and they live happily ever after.”
“What’s a John Hughes movie?”
“You–I–you’ve never seen Sixteen Candles?”
“No.”
“Pretty in Pink?”
