Page 33 of False Assumptions

Chapter Fifteen

Layla didn’t know whether she was more surprised that Evan didn’t get mad on Saturday when she stopped him or that he wanted to have lunch with her on Sunday when she called. And invited her to his apartment afterward. She hadn’t been sure about going to his place, thinking he’d probably have it set up for seduction, but he’d chuckled, the low sound over the phone warming her.

“Don’t worry. Carter and Elena will be there. They want to have aMario Karttournament. You game?”

“Um, I’m not very good at video games.”

“That’s okay.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “It’s just for fun.”

“Okay. That sounds good.”

He’d picked her up an hour later. She’d had more fun than she’d expected playing video games with Evan’s roommate and his girlfriend. Carter—Daniel, as Elena called him—had been welcoming and friendly. Elena had too, but she kept giving Layla knowing looks every so often when Evan would get her a drink or run his hand down her back. Especially when he leaned in for a kiss.

The casual affection still caught her by surprise. Not so much the little touches. He’d been doing those for the last couple of weeks, now that she thought about it. It was the introduction of kissing that threw her off. And he touched her more. But thinking back, she felt stupid for not realizing his interest sooner.

Evan dropped her off at her apartment on Sunday evening, walking her up to her door but refusing her invitation to come inside. Instead he’d kissed her breathless against her door and left with a cocky smile on his face. She’d called Alyssa after that to fill her in on the new turn of events. They hadn’t talked in almost a week.

Alyssa had cackled when Layla got to the kiss on Friday. “I knew it! I knew it all along. Didn’t I say he liked you before? And that I thought you liked him?”

“Yeah, yeah. You were right. You called it. Feel better now?”

“Ha! Yes! I’m glad you finally admit it.”

Layla couldn’t help smiling and shaking her head at her friend. “Are you done?”

“Yes. Okay. I’ll stop gloating now. Tell me everything.”

After a complete rehash of the weekend, Alyssa had let out a low whistle. “It sounds like that boy’s got it bad. Be careful with that one.”

“I am. I’m always careful.”

Alyssa sighed. “Yeah, that’s what I mean. I mean be careful withhim. You’re always careful with yourself, and that could blow up in your face here. He’s putting himself out there for you, letting you set the pace, and inviting you to hang out with his friends. Guys only do that when they’re serious. Don’t string him along if you’re not interested in him long term.”

Brows cinched in consternation, Layla processed what her friend was saying. “You make it sound like I only do casual flings. But you know I’m not like that.”

“Nooo. That’s not what I mean. It’s just that, it takes a long time for you to let people know you. You’re kind of a loner. Which is fine. I get why you are the way you are. But some people get frustrated and give up because you assume the worst. Don’t assume the worst about him. Give this a real chance and see where it goes.”

“I thought I was.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make you mad. I just want you to be happy.”

“I’m not mad. Just … confused. You make me sound like the next Unibomber.”

Alyssa laughed. “No. You’re not a crazy guy in a shack sending bombs in the mail. That’s not what I mean. I just don’t want you to end up as a crazy cat lady.”

“Well, that’s not high on my list either.”

“Good. We agree, then.”

“Um, I guess so.” Layla wasn’t sure what she was agreeing to, but Alyssa changed the subject, so she let it go.

Monday, she and Evan continued their normal routine where he picked her up for class. They spent time in the library after her last class going over the details of their presentation for World Lit the next day, then went and grabbed some dinner. Evan once again declined her invitation to come inside. She felt a little conflicted about that.

Part of her was happy, because it meant he respected her desire to take things slow. But part of her was frustrated, because she liked making out with him, and since he’d proven that he wasn’t just interested in getting in her pants, she wanted to move beyond chaste kisses in public and hot goodnight kisses at her door.

Their presentation went well on Tuesday. They made a video using newspaper photos to set the political and cultural background and clips from the movie made from the book to illustrate important points. Dr. Rankin looked pleased, asking interested questions, and giving them both a smile and a nod when they finished. Theirs was the last presentation of the day, so everyone filed out as soon as they were done.

In the hall, Evan wrapped his arms around her and picked her up. “That was awesome. You rocked that presentation.”

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