Page 33 of When We Ignite
He chuckled softly. “I was hoping for a more enthusiastic response, but I guess that’ll do.”
“Are you free tonight?” I asked, scrunching my nose in embarrassment.
Maya’s eyebrows shot up, her mouth forming a perfectO.
“I’m always free for you,” he replied.
I rolled my eyes. “That’s such a line.”
He laughed.
“And it’s not true,” I pointed out.
“You’re right. It’s not. But I happen to be free today. I’ll come pick you up at eight.”
I sank deeper into the couch, and Maya tried to mimic my posture, grinning like an idiot. I glanced at my watch—it was already six.
“Okay.”
“See you in a bit, darling. Don’t disappear on me again.”
“See you,” I murmured and hung up.
“Oh my gosh, Ethan!” Maya squealed, grabbing my shirt and shaking me like a rag doll.
I buried my face in my hands, turning face down on the couch. “I should cancel, right? I can’t see him,” I said, starting to panic.
“Don’t you dare!” Maya shot back. “That man has the sexiest voice on the planet. Please go out with him, please sleep with him, and please, for the love of God, tell me all about it. I need to live vicariously through you.”
I laughed despite myself, then groaned again, running my hands through my hair. “What am I going to wear? I don’t even know where we’re going.”
“This is too good.” Maya dissolved into giggles. “I can’t believe you’re actually going through with this.”
“You heard him. It’s not just me, right?”
Maya shook her head, still laughing. “I’m amazed you can carry on a conversation with him. I’d just drool on the phone. It’s so weird listening to you two talk.”
“Why?”
“You don’t sound like you’re having an existential crisis. You sound like you’ve known him for years, like teasing and joking.”
“That’s him. He makes it easy. I was terrified to talk to him at first, but he made it effortless.”
She smiled. “I can’t believe you’re going to date Sebastian Langley.”
That didn’t sit quite right. “I don’t think it’s dating, Maya. Sebastian doesn’t date. I’m not sure what we’re doing, but I’m sure it doesn’t qualify as ‘dating.’”
Her smile faded slightly. “And you’re okay with that? What is he going to be then? Your...friend with benefits?”
“No idea.”
“Hey,” she said, suddenly serious. “Is that why you’ve been on another planet these past few weeks?”
I shrugged again.
Honestly, even though it was a total mindfuck, Sebastian was a great distraction. I’d gotten an extension to delay choosing my major, but I hadn’t told my parents yet. I kept telling myself I’d do the research, explore my options, pick something—anything. But letting my mind drift to Sebastian was so much easier than figuring out what the hell I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
“College stuff,” I said vaguely.
