Page 81 of The Tip-Off
“Whaaat?”
“You can’t ask people things like that,” he mutters to me.
Maureen giggles so score one for me and my nosiness. “At least she didn’t eat it.”
“I like her,” I say to Nathan but flash a smile at Maureen.
“And I’m single,” she offers and sneaks a quick glance at Nathan.
Score two.
“Where are you living?” Nathan asks, standing a little taller. I pull my arm away so Maureen can step in. My work here is done.
“I’m going to get a drink. Nice to meet you.”
Without my partner in crime for the evening, I circle the party, stopping to say hello to people I know and smiling at people I don’t. I don’t know if I’ll ever be the girl that feels totally comfortable in my skin when I’m in a room full of strangers. Is anyone? But I’m getting there and I’m excited about the semester at Valley and sneaking away on long weekends to see Zeke.
“Yo, Gabby,” Joel calls out and I find him staring over the crowd. He nods to the door and I swivel to find my handsome boyfriend walking through it.
He takes my breath away, which is both ridiculous and totally amazing. People watch him, some just stare, others call out or pat his back as he makes his way to me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as he wraps his arms around me and lifts me, squeezing me so tightly and stealing whatever breath I had left clear out of my lungs.
“I missed you.”
“I was going to drive up in the morning.”
“I know, I couldn’t wait that long. Also, I had an idea.” He pulls me behind him out the front door. He stands in front of me, a big smile on his face. “You ready?”
“For what?”
“I was thinking you could drive up in that.” He steps to the side and points to the curb. A cherry red convertible is parked at the street. I can almost smell the new car scent, it’s so shiny and perfect.
“You didn’t?! Oh my God, Zeke, this is too much.”
He holds out the key in front of me. “I did warn you I was going to buy you one.”
“You’re insane.”
“Insanely in love.”
I roll my eyes, but my heart squeezes. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I grab for the keys and he lifts them high out of reach. “It does come with one condition.”
“What’s that?” I cross my arms over my chest ready to play hard ball and do whatever it takes to get behind the wheel of that car.
“You let me choose the playlist for the drive.”
“You made a new car playlist, didn’t you?”
He winks and drops the keys in my hand. “You know it, beautiful.”
* * *
Zeke
