Page 11 of Secrets, Scandals and Baby Shoes

“Three for me,” Lucy replied with a giggle. “I would go lower, but statistics brought us together, so it can’t be all bad. Now you try.”

“Drawing,” Elliot suggested.

“Ten.”

“Two.”

They both laughed. “I’m surprised we get along at all,” Lucy said. “Drawing is one of my favorite things. Whenever I’m on vacation, I sketch some of the things I see to help me remember the trip. And I loved art class in school.”

“See, when I’m on vacation, I take pictures,” Elliot teased. “They always look like what they’re supposed to look like, and they take five seconds.”

“Sure, but that’s not always a good thing,” Lucy countered. “When you draw something, you really look at it, which helps you remember it better. Taking a picture takes a few seconds, and then you forget about it. How about cherries?”

“Ten.”

“Ten.” Lucy beamed. “Finally, we agree on something.”

“How about pizza?” Elliot asked. “It’s a ten for me, of course.”

“Oh, definitely.” Lucy grinned. “But I suspect you picked pizza because you know that everyoneloves pizza.”

“That’s possible.” Elliot winked. He had chosen pizza for just that reason.

“I’m braver,” Lucy said, tapping his shoulder with her own. “So, I’ll go for something more controversial. How do you feel about… olives?”

“They’re an eight,” Elliot replied.

“I’d say a six.” Lucy considered. “I’ll eat them if they’re there, but I don’t love them.”

“I saw a sitcom episode about how the perfect couple always has one partner who loves olives and one who hates them,” Elliot said. “What does it mean if we both like them pretty well?”

“I don’t know.” Lucy made big eyes. “We might be on thin ice.”

“Oh no.” Elliot paused in front of a small bookstore and swept Lucy into his arms. He kissed her, just once, but deeply and slowly.

“I think the ice will hold,” Lucy said as he pulled back, and they continued their walk. She was blushing in a way that Elliot found adorable. “Now. How about… pandas?”

The game turned out surprisingly fun, and it was only with a heavy heart that Elliot drove them back to campus in time for their next classes.

The next few weeks took on a new focus. Elliot still went to class. He still spent time with Dominic, Sunil, and Mike, often with Lucy and Karin as well. He still practiced basketball and playeda few games. But mostly, he thought only of when he could see Lucy alone again. She seemed equally interested in spending time with Elliot. They’d meet between classes or in the library to study together — Lucy was very serious about her studies — take a walk or grab dinner off campus. Elliot lived in fear that Dominic would find out about them, but his affection for Lucy far outweighed his apprehension.

One morning in late October, Elliot picked Lucy up outside her dorm. He carried two lidded cups — espresso for him and tea with milk and honey for Lucy — and two bagels with cream cheese wrapped in brown paper.

“What’s this?” Lucy asked, already smiling. “I thought you were busy this morning.”

“I was supposed to have practice, but it got canceled, so I thought I’d take you for a breakfast picnic by the lake.”

“Wonderful.” Lucy took the cup of tea and one of the bagels. They walked across campus toward the lake, chatting about the previous day and smiling at each other. Just as they were about to step onto the lake path, though, Elliot spotted Dominic striding towards them from the direction of the sports center. His stomach lurched as Lucy’s eyes widened. They veered off the path and into the chemistry building to avoid Lucy’s brother. From inside the building, they watched out the small glass patch at the top of the door until Dominic disappeared from view.

“My heart’s beating so fast that I feel like I’ve just swum a race,” Lucy said, pressing one hand to her chest.

“Same here.” Elliot shook his head. “I feel like we’ve been so careful, but Dominic does go to the same college as us. There’salways a chance he’ll see us.” Their eyes met, with their gazes full of shared concern.

“I know.” Lucy’s pretty face pinched with worry. “But I don’t feel like we can tell him, either. He’d be furious.”

“I agree.” Elliot sighed. “Come on, he’s gone now. Let’s enjoy our morning.”

As they walked toward the lake again, though, Elliot began to wonder if theyshouldtell Dominic. It would be an incredibly awkward conversation, of course. Elliot could already imagine Dominic chewing Elliot out for going after his sister out of all the girls in the world. But Elliot also knew that Lucy was special.

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