Page 47 of Stealing for Keeps
And Austin and I have fallen into a friendly if not sometimes flirty routine. He hasn’t hit on me again, and I’ve stopped trying to get a reaction from him. After spending some time with him, I decided it doesn’t matter if his feelings changed because of Vaughn or not. They did, and I don’t want a guy who folds so easily.
Even one who is as hot as Austin.
He weaves through the crowd, looking around. When he spots us, Austin smiles in greeting. Lacey waves, and he heads toward us.
“I think I missed the memo on the dress code,” he says, looking from me to Lacey and then back. “I’m surprised they let me in.”
“It’s not mandatory or anything, so I guess you’re safe to stay,” Lacey teases. “But that’s a good idea. Next year, we’re instituting a dress code, so you’ve been warned.”
He laughs lightly. “Thanks. I’ll pencil that information into my calendar.”
His sarcasm isn’t lost on Lacey, but she nods her approval as the song changes to something slower. “Good.”
The noise in the gym has quieted along with the music.
“So,” Austin starts, looking at me, but then there’s a shrill scream from our right.
“Austin! Austin!”
The three of us watch as Sophie and her friends hurry our way.
“Looks like your fan club has spotted you,” Lacey tells him.
“Oh no.” He looks around. “People dress up at these things,andthey dance?” He groans. “I’m going to kill Rowan. He could have at least given me a heads-up.”
“You don’t dance?” I ask, smothering a laugh.
“Not if I can help it.” He looks like he’s sweating bullets at the prospect, which is hilarious. I didn’t think Austin was shakable. He always seems so confident in every situation.
“Well, I do,” Lacey says. “And this is my favorite song.”
She waves as she backs away from us. I listen until I recognize the music. I know for a fact Lacey doesn’t even like this song. I glance in the direction she went. She’s standing in a group with some fellow cheerleaders off the dance floor.
“Austin!” Sophie calls again.
He tips his head down and looks up at me from under the bill of his cap. “Think she’ll keep going if I don’t look up?”
She stops directly beside him, a huge smile on her face.
I shake my head. “Sorry.”
“Austin, hey!” the eager sophomore says.
He hesitates a beat and then raises his head and smiles back at her. “Oh, hey.”
Sophie is wearing a black dress with pink high-top Converse. She has a whole sporty, dressed-up thing going on. Her hair is curled, and the cut of her dress is low, but it’s like she didn’t want to fully commit to dressing up. She looks nice though, and I know Austin notices. He can’t notnotice. But for some reason, he still looks a little pained at the idea of dancing.
“I’m so glad you came,” she says. Her gaze drops over his casual attire. She doesn’t comment, but she seems just as thrown by it as Lacey had. Without giving him time to reply, she adds, “Do you want to dance?”
“Actually,” I cut in, giving her an apologetic smile and stepping closer to Austin. “He just asked me to dance.”
“I did?” His brows disappear under his hat, but then he nods. “Right.” He sort of smiles at Sophie, but it almost looks like a grimace. “Sorry. Maybe later?”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll come find you on the next one. Oh, and you’re going to Boone’s party later, right?”
“I think so,” he replies.
“Yay!” She claps her hands and lifts her shoulders.
