Page 6 of Next to Everything We Wanted
Ivan snorted. “Oh, man, you’re turning red.”
“Even Dallas doesn’t turn that red,” Raina said.
“It’s true,” Dallas said. “And Raina makes me turn into a tomato.”
Raina beamed, reaching for his hand. “I have that effect on you.”
Dallas’s cheeks pinkened. They’d only been dating since March, but they were the cutest couple on the planet. Oh, and they were obsessed with making out. Every. Freaking. Day. They never got bored of it, of each other.
Nowthatwas an example of real love.
“It’s just hot in here,” I said, adjusting my beanie. “But anyway . . .” What was I going to say? See, I could never keep my thoughts straight with Ivan looking at me like that.
“I don’t have anything for you to sign,” Emma said with a frown. “I want an autograph for my collection, too.”
“Here.” Ivan took a piece of paper out of his pocket, signed it, and handed it to Emma. “Now you do.”
“Thank you!” Emma grinned. “Can I hug you?”
“Of course.”
She squealed and exited the booth to hug Ivan, nearly tackling him.
“Whoa.” He laughed and rubbed her back. Ugh, why did that have to be so adorable? I would’ve died to be Emma right now. When they broke out of the hug, he said, “I have to move along now, but thanks for coming. See you next week.”
“We already can’t wait,” Hayden said, his dark eyes shining.
Once Ivan left, Raina faced me. “And I thought Hayden had a problem acting natural around him,” she teased. “You’re so in love.”
“I’m not!” I protested.
“You are,” Emma said. “You want to marry him.”
“I do not!” My cheeks were on fire.
“I can’t really blame her for being so flustered,” Hayden said. “It’s kind of weird getting to talk to people you look up to, you know?”
“Not weird for me,” Dallas said. “I talk to you every day, and I’m fine.”
“Aw.” Hayden grinned, giving him a side hug. “I look up to you, too. To all of you.”
I smiled at the two of them. They’d only been friends since February, but they reminded me so much of me and Raina.
My gaze went to Ivan again, who was now talking to Celia beside the stage. They seemed invested as they talked, skin flushing and brows moving. My spirits deflated. I knew having a teeny tiny crush on Ivan would never lead to something more, especially when his girlfriend was his bandmate. It was nice to live in my dreams instead of facing reality, though.
Celia was gorgeous, with golden-streaked wavy brown hair, big and warm brown eyes, a glowing tan complexion, and a petite hourglass frame some girls would die for.
Sure, I considered myself beautiful too, but if Ivan had standards like that, I waswayout of his league.
Yeah, reality wasn’t fun.
“Okay, it’s time to go home,” I told Adam and Emma, slumping my brown tote over my shoulder.
“I don’t want to leave,” Emma whined, but she slid out of the booth anyway.
“Me either.” I smiled and faced my friends. “Have a good night. And please don’t embarrass me the next time Ivan talks to us.” I turned around and narrowed my eyes at Emma. “That goes for you, too.”
“Sorry, but you embarrassed yourself,” Raina said. “That was an epic fail.”
