Page 16 of Lonely Hearts Day
“She’s not,” Jack said quickly.
I passed him the box and pointed to the table. “No relationship cards.”
“She’s my boss,” Jack said.
Evelyn laughed.
“This one or this one?” I asked Jack, holding up two shirts. We were in my room after finishing up our prep for the party and I was trying to decide what to wear tonight.
“The blue one. You look good in blue.”
“Why thank you.” I tossed the shirts onto the chair in the corner and bowed.
“Why are you changing though?”
“I feel gross and sweaty from setting up.”
“What about me? Do I need to change? Am I gross and sweaty?”
I walked up to him and stuck my nose on his neck, inhaling. He laughed, his shoulder shooting up as if he was suddenly ticklish.
I stepped back and shrugged. “You smell like Jack.”
“Is that a good or a bad thing?”
“It’s good. It’s that green deodorant you always wear, plus those little scent balls you put in the washing machine.”
“Thatgreendeodorant?”
“It would be weirder if I knew the name.”
“Are you trying to say you’re not obsessed with me?”
“Oh, no. I definitely am.” I tilted my head to the side. “What about me? Smell me now?”
“I’m not going to smell you. Not after you told me you’re gross and sweaty.”
I stuck one arm in the air, exposing my arm pit in a threatening fashion.
“Don’t,” he said, backing up. The bed was behind him though. It hit the back of the knees, forcing him to a sit.
When I reached him, he took me by the waist and flung me onto the bed beside him.
I laughed and lowered my arm. “Fine. You’re safe this time.”
“Don’t pretend like I didn’t just win that.”
“Was it a game?” I asked with a smirk, rolling off the bed and to my feet. “Speaking of deodorant.” I went to my dresser, uncapped my stick of it and applied some.
“Are you nervous about tonight?” he asked. “Having more people here?”
“I don’t think so. Not yet. How are we going to know if we have a better turn out than Micah? Should we count? Should we send a spy to his party?”
“This is still about Micah?”
“He’s keeping tabs on my love life, Jack. Probably yours too. He needs to be humiliated in some way.”
“What’s that saying?” he asked. “The best revenge is living well? We should just have fun and not worry about him.”