Adorkable(73)

I swallowed heavily as he rested his cheek against my hair. “Me, too.”

We didn’t say anything else, didn’t have to. Mercedes must’ve had a party playlist or something because the song we were dancing to now was the same one that’d been playing when I’d given Becks his shave. The soundtrack to the first (and only) kiss he’d ever given me. I’d never forget that song.

As the final notes died away, Becks and I separated.

“Can I cut in?” Ash said.

Becks looked at him, at me, then turned around and walked back to his seat.

Another ballad started, and Ash and I assumed the position, his arms holding me closer than necessary. Leaning down, he spoke quietly so only I could hear, “What’s with him?”

“I don’t know,” I answered as he melded our two bodies further. There was no space between Ash and me now, and those sad eyes, the ones I loved, were locked on us, looking tired.

“Forget about it, Spitz,” Ash said, nuzzling my neck. “He’ll get over it.”

No, I thought. He looks miserable. Becks looked completely, utterly miserable. He needed his best friend. He needed me. If having a boyfriend was taking up too much of my time, there was only one thing to do.





CHAPTER 16





“You want to break up?” Ash repeated.

I nodded. “I think it’s for the best.”

We were sitting outside, on one of the benches in front of the library. I’d forced him to meet me here extra early (6:30 a.m. on a Saturday) in retribution. Hey, if he could call a meeting at the crack of dawn so could I. Though, really I’d done it because I had to be here anyway for my kids. Reading Corner didn’t start for another hour or so, but I liked to be early whenever I could.

My cape fluttered at my ankles. There was a nice breeze today.

“You’re serious,” he said and then pointed at me. “And you’re gonna break up with me wearing that?”

“You have something against wizard-wear?” I asked.

Ash shook his head. “Spitz, this is so embarrassing. Couldn’t we go inside, where no one can see us? I can’t believe you’re out in public dressed like this.”

“We can’t go inside. They’re not officially open yet.” I watched his face closely. “Does it really bother you?”

“No,” he said. “What bothers me is the lightning bolt on your forehead. And what do you mean, you want to break up?”

I sighed. I’d known this wouldn’t go well.

“Ash, when we first started this thing, I honestly thought you’d get sick of me after one date.”

Ash scoffed, throwing his arm over the back of the bench, making a “Go on” gesture with his other hand.

“Then I thought, maybe you could help me get over Becks like you offered,” I continued. “I did end up liking you, just like you said. It’s been great hanging out with you this past week.”

“So, what’s the problem?” He sat up. “You like hanging out with me. I like hanging out with you. Even if you were using me to make Becks jealous, I wouldn’t care. His face when we danced was like—”

“That wasn’t jealousy,” I cut in. “It was misery.”

Ash shrugged. “Same thing.”

“No, it’s really not.” Reaching out, I laid my hand over the top of his. He’d treated me so well, and I really did like talking with him. If nothing else, I’d gained a friend. “I don’t want to make Becks unhappy. That was never what I wanted.”

“Well…”

“I know, I know, you don’t like Becks—” I shook my head, lifted my shoulders helplessly, “—but I do. Even if he doesn’t feel the same about me, I’m still his friend. I can’t stand to see him so sad.”

“Spitz, the guy makes you sad whenever he’s around another girl. What’s he done to save your feelings?”

I flushed. He had a point, but it didn’t change anything.

“You’re incredible,” Ash said, looking at my expression. “Becks is blind for not seeing what’s in front of him, but you, Spitz. I’ve never met someone like you before.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means you’re a freak of nature.” I made to pull away, but Ash wasn’t having it. He captured my fingers, his other hand joining the first. “After all he’s put your through, most girls would want to tear Becks’s throat out, but not you.”

I felt the need to set the record straight. “He didn’t mean to. Becks has no idea about my feelings, so it’s not really his fault.”