Page 14 of Tracing Holland

“Um…I don’t know.I think it means I’d go through your garbage, but not steal your dog or anything.I’ll have to check with your fan groups for clarification.”

I can’t stop it, and she grins when I double over in laughter.“Oh my god.”I wipe my eyes, drawing in a deep breath.

“You know, you’re not what I was expecting,” she blurts next, jerking us in an entirely new direction.Nope, not a chance I ever figure out her maze.My gaze shoots back to her at her boldness.

“Really.Well, people usually expect the worst from me, so that’s either good news, or extraordinarily bad.”

She smiles and cocks her head a bit, studying me.“Good, I think.Which could be bad.We’ll see.”

I’m not sure what she means by that, but I’m afraid to ask.Whatever it is, I’m not ready for it.She’s not either, even if she doesn’t know it yet.

“It’s just that you’re intimidating, you know?”she continues, and I let out my breath, caught off guard again.It’s like she’s purposely trying to taunt social etiquette.

“Huh?”

She’s grinning so I know she likes throwing me off balance.“What?Like you don’t know that about yourself?I’m the first to call you out on the enigma thing you’ve got going?”

“I’ve never had anyone tell me that to my face, no.Intimidating, how?Sure it’s not just you who finds me intimidating?”

I swear she blushes a bit as she shrugs, but I don’t feel badly.She started the “smash all social barriers” game.

“No, I doubt it.You’re…I don’t know.Untouchable.”

I laugh again, I can’t help it.Untouchable.Sure.I’ve been Life’s fucking punching bag since the day I was born.

“Untouchable?What does that mean?”

It’s her turn to stare off.She’s carefully considering my question.I can almost see the spark of intelligence, the depth, flashing across her face as she scans the scene around us.

“What’s your middle name?”she asks finally.

I stiffen.“What?Why?”

She studies me again for a second and finally leans back against the railing.“See?That’s exactly what I mean.That wasn’t even an intrusive question.But your instinct forces you to defend.To hide.Mine’s Elizabeth.Holland Elizabeth Drake.”

She sighs, and when her eyes change, I find myself getting drawn in all over again.“Like I said, you’re an enigma, Luke.You’re a dark, beautiful painting locked high on the wall behind a protective shield of glass.We all love to approach at a safe distance, but that’s it.We admire, we stare, we even drool, many mock and hate, but none of us can imagine trying to touch it, to solve the mystery and get behind the glass.You wouldn’t let us even if we wanted to.You’re comfortable up there, out of reach.”

I almost snort as I’m finally able to force my eyes away.“Oh yeah?You got all that from two conversations?”

She laughs softly.“Heck, no.I got all that from hours of listening to Callie gush about you.Our two conversations just reinforce it.”

My gaze turns to a glare as the blood starts to boil.“Callie told you all that?She wouldn’t do that.”

She seems affected by my heated reaction.“Of course not.She only talks about you as a friend whom she loves and respects.I read into the rest on my own, comparing what she says in sharp contrast to your reputation and what everyone else thinks.I trust her judgment, which means it’s obvious people don’t really know you.That there’s something else going on.Am I wrong?”

I stare into the distance again, not sure how to answer that, but positive I don’t want to.

“Do you always just say whatever you think?”I counter instead.

She laughs.“If you think this is bad, you should hear all the things I’m not saying right now.”

I glance over, and despite the momentary darker mood, can’t help but crack a smile at her expression.

“Really?How intriguing.”

She shrugs, but doesn’t resist my gaze.

“Ok, fine.You want to play this game?”I challenge.“What were you going to tell me on the bus yesterday but didn’t?”

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