I move to help her and hold the jacket behind her as she maneuvers into it. The repairman takes notice of her, watching her as she hugs Tessa and then kisses me on the cheek. Something hot, with a shot of bitter, boils inside of me as he stares at her ass. He’s not even trying to hide it. Not that I blame him for wanting to look, but come on, be a little respectful.
Before I smack some manners into the guy, Nora gives me a wave and says, “I’ll text you when I know where we’re going!”
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested, and just a tad worried that she won’t actually text me. I don’t know how many options she has lying around. I don’t know my competitors’ stats—oh Lord, I’m comparing dating to sports. Again. I’ve repeatedly come to the conclusion that they’re not that much different, but I’m better off looking at things from a different angle.
But why am I already jumping to the conclusion that Nora wants to date me? Because she kissed me, then invited me to go out with her?
Yes, that’s exactly why. I can’t tell if this a regression in my “adulting” progress or not.
When Nora is gone, Tessa looks like a little chipmunk that has just found a stash of nuts hidden under some leaves. “What was that about?” she asks nosily.
I’m so used to her intrusiveness it doesn’t bother me. I run my hand over my chin, tugging slightly at the hair growing there. I lift my hands up in defense.
“I have no freaking clue, she just kissed me. I didn’t even know she knew my name—”
“She what!” Tessa shrieks.
This little sip of gossip is enough to keep Tessa Young going for days. I’ll definitely hear about it later. My mom may hear about it, too.
The repairman cocks his head to the side like he’s listening to a daytime drama. He could at least be subtle about it. Then again, if I fixed appliances all day, I would want some comic relief or some kind of entertainment. Like adding a little splash of color to a black-and-white painting.
“I didn’t know either! Well, I know she knew your name,” Tessa says, being as literal as ever.
“I don’t know. I’m just as confused as you.”
Something is off in the way Tessa is looking at me, like she’s trying to hide her disappointment. I’m not sure what to make of this. My guess is because she misses Hardin, but I’m probably wrong. I haven’t got a clue what to think about any of this.
Instead of indulging in gossip that may or may not be worth it, I tighten the drawstring on my sweats and head toward the door.
“We aren’t done here, Landon Gibson!” Tessa shouts after me.
And somehow it all makes me feel a little like a criminal on the run.