10
Derek was still watching me hesitantly, like he was afraid I might be judging him.
That was the exact same way I’d felt before, when he’d asked me what I wanted out of life.
Afraid of judgment. Afraid of being made fun of.
Only difference was, he’d opened up to me, totally and completely.
“That was really beautiful,” I said softly.
He relaxed. “Thanks,” he said, and flashed that sexy, charming grin.
I think it was the grin that broke the spell.
I went from seeing the magic and wonder of a child entranced by music, to seeing the incredibly good-looking guy who knew all the girls were into him.
I mean, I still felt like everything he’d said to me was real… but for the first time, I considered the possibility that it had also been a performance.
I gave him an impish little smile. “And you’ve never told that story to any other girl, have you.”
“No. Never,” he said solemnly, though he nodded his head ‘yes’ as he said it.
I laughed – at least he was honest (or semi-honest) about his bullshit.
Except… it wasn’t bullshit. And I knew it.
“I think you really meant it, though.”
He nodded, and he was serious. “I did.”
Suddenly, a giant, blatting noise split the air.
“SNNKKKZZ,” Shanna snored from where she lay on the bed.
“Wow, is she always that loud?” he asked incredulously.
“Only when she’s plastered. Too bad she missed your speech.”
“She wouldn’t have appreciated it.”
I looked at him, my head tilted slightly to the side. “No, she wouldn’t have,” I agreed softly.
We kept staring at each other in silence – until Shanna’s snoring started up again.
“Jesus, it’s amazing how something that loud can come out of somebody so small,” he marveled.
I laughed. “Yeah, maybe we should go outside in the hall.”
He looked at me. “Yeah?”
My heart suddenly thumped hard in my chest.
I had just spontaneously said it without thinking.
Not, Well, it was nice meeting you, or, Well, I’ve got to study.
No.
Maybe we should go outside in the hall.
Because I didn’t want him to leave.