“I’m Kenzie,” the girl told her. “And you are?”
So that’s her name.
I had a vague recollection of Becca introducing us. Kenzie Reid or Kenzie Keith or something like that.
Emersyn glanced at me with raised brows. “Just looking for a phone charger actually. But you two have fun.”
She moved to step away from me and I clasped her elbow without thinking.
“Actually, this is my girlfriend, Emersyn.” I glanced at her with pleading eyes that I hoped said play along, please.
Kenzie blanched and her expression soured. “That’s funny, you didn’t mention having a girlfriend last night.”
“We were on a break,” Emersyn blurted out.
I loved her already.
“Yes, and now we’re working things out,” I offered apologetically. “If you’ll excuse us.”
I tugged Emersyn toward my bedroom, away from the party.
“Thank you for that,” I said once the door was closed behind me.
“You’re welcome. Though I didn’t mean to interrupt your night or cock-block you or anything.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You didn’t. I had forgotten her name until she said it just now.” That sounded bad out loud. “Guess that makes me a jerk, huh?”
She shrugged. “Not my place to judge.”
“I appreciate that. Most people would.”
Her eyes met mine. “I’m not most people.”
“I see that.” I’d seen it all summer long in class.
Most everyone texted or checked social media on their cell during class. Emersyn made mosaic hearts out of straw wrapper pieces.
“So, can I ask what your backup plan is if you can’t get ahold of your friend?”
Obviously, the chick was fickle as fuck if she’d ditched her at the carnival. The odds of Emersyn getting a ride from her seemed slim to me.
Her gaze darted around my room before meeting mine. “I don’t know. Her boyfriend, or maybe ex-boyfriend now, was there with some girl and they got into an argument. She said she’d be right back but then she was nowhere to be found and I had to meet up with my brother. Didn’t help that my phone was dead.”
“Well, I know we just officially met and all, but I don’t mind driving you home.” I hoped that didn’t sound like I wanted her to leave. “Whenever you need to go, I mean. You’re welcome to stay and hang out a while. If you want.” Shit, now I was rambling. I didn’t usually have this much trouble talking to women, but this one threw me off. Not just because she was beautiful. There was something about her. Maybe it was the way she looked directly into my eyes, how closely she listened, or how honest everything out of her mouth seemed. There was no flirty girl pretense—no innuendos or games.
“I just really need to charge my phone. No matter who takes me home, I need to let Camille know I’m okay and check in on my mom.”
My brain alerted me to the new piece of information she’d dropped.
“You have to check in on your mom? Isn’t it usually the other way around?”
Her shoulders tensed. “She’s been sick…for a while now.” Her cheeks reddened. She’d obviously revealed more than she meant to.
I moved to stand beside her. “Damn. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” Her voice was soft and raw, vulnerable in a way that appeared to surprise her.
The air thickened between us and I could feel it. How easily this could turn into one of those nights where you told your entire life story—including your deepest, darkest secrets—to a complete stranger. Except that usually only happened with drunk people. We were sober and Emersyn looked ready to take flight and escape the intimacy of my bedroom.