Page 25 of The Enemy Plot
“Never mind,” she says, dropping her spoon into the bowl with a clatter. “I knew I shouldn’t have asked. It’s not like you care what I want anyway.”
With that, she storms off to her room. Well, that went well. With Spring Break starting tonight, this is going to be a lot of fun.
I take her to school in total silence before heading to my appointment with Dr. S. I don’t talk much there either.
When I get home, I stick the label on the mailbox, and a smile tugs at the corner of my lips. I’m unlocking my front door when Alice steps out of the bookstore, wearing a pink dress beneath a green cardigan.
Noticing me, she says, “Oh, hey.”
I still haven’t gotten used to the fact that she and I can now have a normal conversation. Only problem? We did a lot more than talking in my dream last night.
“Hey.” I wave like an idiot.
Her eyes dart to my mailbox, and a small smile touches her lips. “Oh, you added your name.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I did.”
“Thank you,” she says, a hint of teasing in her eyes. I’m pretty sure she wants to fire back a spunky remark but decides against it. “How’s Lola? Today is her birthday, right?”
I nod, breathing a sigh. “Yes. She’s good. But so far, fourteen years old looks a lot like thirteen.”
Her lips tilt into a stunning smile. “Just wait till she’s sixteen. That’s when the fun really starts.”
“Oh, gosh,” I groan, my heart picking up its pace. Though I’m not sure it’s entirely from the prospect of Lola turning sixteen.
She chuckles, and our eyes meet, an uncomfortable silence settling in. At least when she hated me, there was never an awkward moment.
“Well, I’m going to—”
“Wait,” I say, an idea suddenly coming to me. “There’s this free concert Lola wants to go to tonight, but I can’t take her because of the bar. I, um, would you mind going with her? If it wasn’t her birthday, I wouldn’t ask.”
She presses her lips together. “What concert?”
“Jack Rose. I’m sure it’s awful, and I’m sorry to ask. But since you owe me . . .” I say, letting a smile filter through. I’m pushing my luck, I know. But I can’t help it.
As predicted, Alice answers with one of her full smiles. That subtle display of cockiness was completely worth it. “Right. Looks like I have no choice, then. I’ll take her.”
“Thanks.” I run a hand through my hair. “I didn’t know if you had a date planned already.”
“Interested in my love life now, are you?” She arches an eyebrow, and my body bursts into flames.
I roll my eyes. “Just wondering if I have to get ready to kick someone else’s ass.”
Biting her lip, she chuckles. “Well, if I recall correctly, it was my brother who did the ass-kicking. But don’t worry. After last night, I’ve decided to cool it on the dating front for a while.”
“Good.” The word slips out before I can stop it.
Her gaze plunges into mine, and her face turns as pink as her dress. “Well.” She clears her throat, looking away. “I have some errands to run, but let Lola know I’ll take her to the concert. Hayley will be at the game, but I’ll ask Emma to come with us.”
I nod. “Okay. Thank you.”
As I watch her vanish down the sidewalk, my heart soars, as if everything in my life was falling into place. Suddenly, I wish I could just close the bar tonight and go to the concert with Alice. Lola and Emma too.
Shaking my head into focus, I set myself straight. There is nothing going on between Alice and me. I’ve never been much of a flirt, but I’m pretty sure that was just a regular conversation. I’m living this weird phase of my life, with everything happening at once, and it’s triggering emotions I didn’t know I had. Plus, I’ve seen the types of guys Alicedates. Preppy, funny gentlemen—except for that Crain guy—who are her age! I’m not sure how old she is, but I’m guessing I’m at least ten years her senior. Plus, I’m far from those perfect characters she reads in her novels, so there’s no way she would ever be interested.
Alice
Did I just flirt with Deacon Collier? What’s even crazier, I think he flirted back! If you’d told me three weeks ago that I’d be exchanging lighthearted banter with Deacon, I would have laughed in your face. But I’m pretty sure this is happening, and I don’t know what to make of it.