Chapter 24
Audrey
My phone buzzed in my pocket just as I was finishing up the last of my homework for the evening. Frowning, 1 dug it out, expecting a text from Avis or Tim about our group project.
Instead, it was a new text from a familiar number that had me grinning like an idiot before I could stop myself.
“What are you up to tonight?”
It was from Gavin, that handsome water–turned–classmate who had somehow managed to worm his way into my life over the last werk. Ever since we had exchanged numbers in Edwin’s lecture, we had been texting back and forth regularly–first about class, then about design concepts, and eventually just chatting
Despite myself, I found myself looking forward to his stupid jokes and gentle teasing way more than I probably should have. He was cute, and sweet And maybe..
Biting my lip, I quickly tapped out a reply.
“Nothing. Just finished my homework. Why?”
A response came through almost immediately. “Wanna go see a play!”
Me: “A play? Like at the theater?”
Gavin “Yes, a play. They’re doing a showing of Romeo and Juliet tonight”
Me: “I could be persuaded…”
I barely had to wait thirty seconds before he responded once again. “Sweet Pick you up at 7?”
My heart fluttered a line in my chest as I re–read the message. Was this was this considered a date We had hung out a few times over the week, grabbing coffee between classes or meeting up in the library for studying. But this felt different somehow More… Intentional
1 let out a shaky breath as I agreed to meet him, running my free hand through my hair Jumping up from my desk, I hurried out of my dorm
and down the hall to Avis’s, my pulse Jackhammering beneath my skin.
room
Avis stung the door open a few moments after I knocked, her curly blonde hair frazzled–she had clearly been napping. “Audrey?” she asked, rubbing her eyes with her fist. “What’s up!”
“I need your help,” I said, marching into the room without even waiting for an invitation. “I think… I think I have a dare tonight.”
A couple of hours later, I was pacing back and forth across the tiled lobby of the dorms, my heels clicking loudly in tandem with my pounding heart. Avis had spent the better part of an hour curling my hair into soft waves, dabbing makeup onto my face, and belping me pick out the perfect outfit for my ‘not–a–date‘ date with Cavin.
I had picked out something coul yet cure–my usual heeled boots, a pair of flared jeans, and a slim–fitting top with a jacket over top. Avis had insisted on the top being slightly low–cut, stating that I didn’t want to go overboard but that I also needed to look nice enough just in case this was a date after all.
As if on cur, my phone buzzed to signal Gavin’s arrival. I took a deep, steadying breath and shoved my phone in my purse.
There was Gavin, looking boyishly handsome in dark jeans, boots, and a soft gray sweater. He broke into a warm grin the moment he spotted me, shutting the door of his beat–up Honda and circling around to the sidewalk
“Hey,” he greeted easily, swinging the passenger door open. “L. I like your top”
I flushed a deep shade of red. “Thank you.”
There was a brief, awkward silence–neither of us moving right away. Then, reaching behind his back, Gavin produced a single red rose that he extended to me with a wink. This is for you
“Oh, Gavin..” I couldn’t help but smile as I took the flower, feeling stupidly bashful. “Thank you. You know, I’ve been trying to incorporate more floral elements into my designs lately. I could probably dry and press this.”
Gavin chuckled at my gushing, shipping his hands into his pockets. “Well, after you’ve de–flowered the poor thing, we should probably get going if
we want to make the curtain.”
I laughed nervously, feeling a bit embarrassed over quickly devolving into design talk, and tucked the rose into the strap of my purse for safekeeping.
12
4:37 PM
Chapter 21
All too soon, we were pulling up outside the theater and heading inside. The scent of velvet curtains and mahogany filled my senses, the soft murmur of the audience and the quiet music fading into a dull, pleasant hum.
“So what made you want to go see a play all of a sudden?” I asked as we found our seats and settled in. “I never would have taken you for a theater
buff.
Gavin grinned, shrugging one shoulder. “I’ve always liked theater, Plus, I think it’s important for any artist to enrich themselves as much as they
can
*Fair point,” I conceded, pressing the paper program between my fingers as the lights began to dim and the first preamble music started up. “Ooh, I can’t wait to see what kind of designs they use for the costumes and sets….
For the next twenty or so minutes. Gavin and I whispered to each other over the show’s design concepts, fabric choices, color palettes, you name it. Soon enough, an usher was shushing us with a scowl, prompting my face to flush a delicate shade of pink.
“Oops,” I whispered to Gavin, covering my mouth with one hand. “I guess we got a little carried away there.”
His eyes sparkled, his mouth still twisted into that easy grin. “Yeah,” he murmured back, suddenly shifting his weight closer so our shoulders were brushing “My fault.”
Was it my imagination, or did his voice seem to drop an octave or two? I could have sworn my skin was tingling everywhere his arm pressed against.
mine.
Swallowing hard. I forced myself to look away and pay attention to the show unfolding onstage. But as the acts wore on, I found it increasingly difficult to focus–not when Gavin’s knee would accidentally brush against mine every few minutes, or when he would lean in to whisper some cheesy commentary in my ear, his warm breath fanning across my jaw.
By the time the curtain closed on the final act, I was a bundle of nerves for reasons that had very little to do with the play itself.
We lingered on the sidewalk outside as the rest of the crowd filtered out onto the deserted street. I watched with rising anticipation as Gavin came to a halt in front of me, one hand in his pocket while the other reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“You really did look beautiful tonight,” he murmured, his voice low and husky in a way that made me feel like molten lava was pooling in the pit of my stomach, ready to explode like Pompeil. Our gazes locked, his thumb momentarily halting on my cheek and brushing my skin.
Was he.. was he going to…!
Electric tension crackled between us, our breaths mingling together and swirling up into the cool night air. I shivered in my jacket, my fingers rightening around the strap of my purse.
Then, slowly, almost imperceptibly, Gavin’s hand slid down to cup the back of my neck as he leaned in with unmistakable intent.
He was going to kiss me.
I froze momentarily, my mouth hanging open as I watched him lean closer. He was so sweet, and so handsome, and… I wanted this.
But then, just as I was letting my eyes flutter closed in anticipation, a face flashed through my mind. A strong jaw, a pair of striking gray eyes, a shock of dark hair that fell almost to his chin.
Edwin.
Out of instinct, my hand shot out and pressed into Gavin’s chest. When I opened my eyes, his face was so close that our lips nearly brushed. His own eyes widened slightly, embarrassment and worry flickering across his features.
“Gavin, 1.
Before I could even begin to explain myself, a familiar voice shot out from across the street and caused us both to turn.
“What are you two doing out so late?”
