Page 37 of The Other Side of Together

“I told you it had to be a real date. Not Stacy from accounting.”

“For your information, it was Ricky from accounting. And we’re going out tonight. Guess I’m eating baklava alone.”

“Nope.” I shake my head and tap the table with my thumb. “I earned the other half. Twice.”

Her brows are super pointy when she’s surprised. “Don’t you dare lie for baklava. It will turn to lava in your mouth and burn off your tongue.”

I smile and nod. “Oh, this is for real. I’m as surprised as you are.”

Audrey squints. “Are you being serious?”

I shrug. “Yeah. A lot changed while you were in Boston.”

Her shoulders drop. “That was fast.” She slides a shake toward me. “I’m not even sure what to do with this information if it’s true.”

“Come on, Drey.” I roll my eyes and shovel ice cream into my mouth, talking around it. “You knew it’d happen eventually. There just wasn’t a girl I liked enough. Now there is.”

Her frown turns from scrutiny to curiosity. “Have you told Ray? And have you kissed her?” Her eyes spark and I’m afraid she’s gonna light the napkins on fire as she leans forward, devouring a spoonful of ice cream.

I meet her eyes, then focus on my spoon.

“What does that look mean?” she explodes, slapping both hands on the table and leaning out of her chair toward me. “Did you lose the bet?!”

Uh, thought about it. Wanted to about 325 times. But I’m keeping that information to myself. I reach across the table and poke her shoulder. “Calm down.” I shake my head. “It’s only been two dates.” My stomach ruffles with the thought of kissing Mei. Making out with her. Doing other stuff. Later.

Audrey narrows her eyes. “I sense you’re not telling me the whole truth.”

I jab the spoon in my shake, sitting back in my seat. She’s not gonna stop digging, so I’ve gotta give her something to obsess over. Plus, I’m dying to tell somebody about Mei. “Not gonna lie—the motorcycle’s really hard to think about when I’m with her.” I pick at the table’s edge. “She’s all I can think about. Her and…that.” I need to stop. I’m saying too much. But what if she can tell me what to do so I don’t mess this up? I can’t have this conversation with Dad. And I’ve seen Johnny and Savvy make out and I’m not asking either of them for advice. They went zero to ninety in ten seconds so it’s only a matter of time before they’re over. Not gonna be me and Mei.

Audrey relaxes, crossing her arms on the table and leveling her gaze. “Well, it’s about time.”

“I’m not gonna do anything, Drey.”Even though I so, so want to.“Don’t even know what I’m doing, but…I kinda get how I could lose the motorcycle now. I won’t, though. Just afraid I could. But I won’t. Definitely not. But also, I’m…” I scan the hanging plants and yellow wind chimes hanging over our table, embarrassed to admit my total lack of knowledge in all things Girl. “I’m clueless,” I look at her. “I mean, I know the basics, so don’t give me the whole birds and bees talk—I got that much. I just didn’t know…”I swallow. How strong I could feel for her. That my hormones can boss me around. That I swear I saw “I love you” in her eyes. Or maybe it was the reflection of my thoughts.

I hunch over my shake, staring into it. “Didn’t know I could feel this way. Dad didn’t mention it when he talked about girls messing me up. And if you tell him, I swear, Drey…”

She stares at me, a slow smile creeping across her face. “Are you kidding?! You think I’d ruin this by telling that killjoy? No way. But you should bring your lady love on our next lunch date.”

“No.” I shake my head.

“No?”

“Nope.”

“Why? Are you embarrassed of me?” She pulls a hideous face.

“No, even though I should be.”

“What’s her name? What does she look like?” Audrey leans forward and twirls her spoon in her shake, her bracelets jangling.

“Her name’s Mei and she looks unbelievable, that’s what.” I smile at the table, thinking about the way Mei’s smile reflects off everything around her.

“So…I’m guessing blond? Long legs, long hair? Perfect teeth, etc., etc., etc., blah, blah, blah?”

“Perfect but in a black hair, killer smile, brown eyes, Taiwanese kinda way.”

Audrey’s eyebrows could climb Mount Everest on their own. “So…” Her eyes scan the café. “Not one of the screaming girls at your games.”

I shake my head. “Exactly opposite.”

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