Page 139 of Infatuated as They Come
“Could never forget that,” he said against my lips. “Ever.”
I almost didn’t want to pull away from him, but I knew I’d be cutting it close if I stayed any longer. “And while I wish I could just sit here and have you stare at me all day, I have to head to campus so I can get ready for tonight.”
“Fuck, what time is it?” he asked, eyes landing on the clock beside us. “Damn, time flies by when I’ve got you in front of me.”
“I’ll see you tonight, right?”
Eyes all serious, he nodded firmly. “I’ll be there. I will. And I can’t wait to see you cheer.”
“I’m kinda nervous,” I said, fidgeting in his arms a little. “Last time was a slight disaster…”
“I asked Claudia and she said you made one little mistake. I’ll be there tonight. I promised you I’d make it and I will.”
“I just want tonight to go well.”
“It will. You got this.” He stroked a thumb against my cheek, voice and eyes all warm. “You’ll do amazing. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
“Okay, I gotta leave now or I’ll be late, but thank you for painting me. Again. For the millionth time,” I said with a laugh. “And I cannot wait for everyone in New York to talk about what a great artist you are and gush over you and tell you how much they love you.”
Sawyer groaned, eyes looking over my head and to the painting behind me. “I think I change my mind about this already.”
* **
Claudia’s dorm room was buzzing with excited voices as we got ready for the game. I was on the floor in front of her as she raked a brush through my hair, pulling my locks into quite possibly the most painful ponytail of all time.
“Is that too tight?” she asked.
“Uh, no,” I said with slightly teary eyes. At least my ponytail wouldn’t come out mid-game. “That’s fine.”
“I’ll curl your ends now.”
“What are you guys doing in exactly four weeks time, by the way?” I asked the room.
“Four weeks from today there’s no game and no practice and no pep rallies,” Claudia said firmly.
“You know all that off the top of your head?” I asked.
“Uh-huh.”
“You’re like a cheer robot. I wanted to invite you all to an art gallery event. It’s in Brooklyn and they’ll be doing an exhibition and Sawyer’s gonna be showing off some of his paintings. You guys should come.”
“Ooh, that sounds fun,” Claudia said. “Cover your eyes!”
I did as she asked and soon, the sharp scent of hairspray was in my nose.
“I’m free that Friday,” Claudia said. “What did he paint? Did he paint the cheer team like I asked?”
“No, nothing like that.” I laughed. “I’ll have to convince him to do that.”
“I bet he painted you. Did he paint you?”
I blushed, thinking of the beautiful piece he had showed me in the afternoon. “He seems to be addicted to doing that. So, if you wanna see a painting of me, you’re all free to come.”
“I’d love to!” Claudia said, fingers running through the curls of my ponytail. “I’ve never been to an art gallery showing before. It sounds cool.”
Millie took a seat in front of me, a small container of glitter in her hands. “Can you do my eyes?”
“Of course.” I nodded, grabbing one of the many eyeshadow brushes in the little bag by my side.
