Page 10 of Sweet Little Lies
“So, what do you need, exactly? I’m not going to help you cheat.”
I give her surprised face and a cheeky grin. “I’d never ask you to do that for me. But I need you…your help inlearningSpanish.”
I see every thought flash through her warm, sincere eyes. Deeper than molasses, her thick lashes unable to conceal her concerns.
“Lance, you know I want nothing more than to help you, but I’m so busy right now,” she argues, shrugging in defeat. “I barely find enough time to study for my own courses, much less room for you.”
This is exactly the objection I was expecting and prepared for. I thread my fingers with hers.
“You have Sundays off. I’ll make you dinner every Sunday night. And I’ll drive you to school every Tuesday and Thursday when you have classes.”
She gives me a strange look. “How do you know what days I have classes? Stalker, much?”
Yeah, okay, that does sound like I’ve been following her around. But I haven’t. I just have my sources.
“Ainsley,” I smirk.
I reach across the table, moving the salt and pepper and syrup bottle out of the way, and take her hand in mine. Threading my fingers through hers, I slowly bring our joined hands toward my mouth and plant a kiss on her knuckles. I smile when her eyes darken and I notice the goosebumps that pattern her skin.
“With friends like her, who needs enemies?” she mutters with amusement.
“Plus, didn’t you say you’re going to borrow your car to your brother Mateo until he can save up for a new one?”
A few weeks ago, her younger brother, Mateo, crashed his motorcycle. Luckily, he walked away unscathed with only a few bumps and bruises and a cracked rib, but the bike was destroyed. Being the loving sister that she is, Mica offered to lend him her car so he can get to and from work for the next month or so.
She’s been taking the bus to school. I know all of this because I overheard her talking about it with Ainsley one night while I was hanging out at Cade’s.
Once again, she squints her eyes inquisitively. “I don’t remember telling you this. Now I really think you’re a creeper.”
I laugh, shrugging off her suggestion. “I have ears. I know everyone thinks I talk all the time and don’t listen, but I do. Especially when you speak.”
I let my confession sink in while I take a huge gulp of coffee. Being up this early practically killed me, but I knew it was the only time I’d see her this morning.
Rolling her eyes, she slides her hand out of mine and places it in her lap, fidgeting with her blouse buttons. I can’t help but notice the swell of her breasts underneath the button-down denim she’s wearing. How I’d like to trace those curves with my fingertips and tongue.
The clearing of her throat draws my attention back up to her face, the look of annoyance clearly defined in her forehead.
“Really…like how you’re listening to me right now?”
Uh oh. She must’ve said something and in my daydreaming over the shape of her, I missed it.
“Sorry, what were you saying?” I give her a big lopsided grin that I know she can’t resist.
I haven’t had a lot to smile about the last year. Everything in my life has changed since last March when we lost out in the NCAA Tournament. And then May came and went and I saw my two best friends go off to start their new lives and careers. While I was left behind.
My best bud, Carver, is now up in Seattle, living his dream and playing professional basketball. Cade chose to go into a career in bio-med, where he designs medical devices to help heart patients. And he just got engaged to Mica’s friend, Ainsley, and they now live together not far from here.
I’m happy for my two best friends, because they have amazing fucking lives.
As for me, I have to finish my last year in college under the pressure to do something with myself once I’ve graduated.
Granted, real life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’d take the college party life any day over the adult world. I’ve seen what it does to people…my parents, especially.
I shake off my thoughts and worries and return to my attention to Mica.
“Okay, you busted me. But sometimes, I can’t help just staring at you. You’re so very…what’s the word in Spanish?” I scrunch my nose and snap my fingers when it comes to me. “Estas bonita.”
The blush and sweet smile that lights up her face is all the confirmation I need. I’ve got her.
