Page 23 of All Your Lies

“Okay, but be nice,” Rosie says, narrowing her eyes at her brother.

“Aren’t I always?”

“No. And she’s mine until your stupid arranged marriage,” she says as she rolls her eyes and keeps walking.

“I had fun tonight,” Marco says, avoiding the talk of our arranged marriage.

“Yeah, me too. Thanks for the help playing,” I say lamely.

Why do I always have to be so awkward?

“No problem. I don’t mind helping a damsel in distress,” he says while squeezing my hand that I just realized he’s still holding.

My gaze falls to our intertwined hands until he gently lifts my chin.

The next thing I know, he’s leaning in for a kiss.

My breath catches in my throat.

Oh my gosh. It’s happening.

At the last minute, he gives me one on my cheek and steps back, letting my hand go.

“Good night, Alexa,” he says before turning around and walking away.

“Good night,” I say to his back.

I watch his retreating form until it’s blocked by the guys’ dorms, then I turn around and head inside.

What the heck was that? Was he actually going to kiss me, or was I imagining it?

When I get to my room, Rosie is already in bed. I pull out my pajamas to get more comfortable.

“Marco is too much sometimes.”

“True that. I think he’ll leave us alone after a week or two,” I say, not wanting to discuss the almost kiss with her.

She’s my best friend, and I also consider her my sister, but it’s weird talking to her about her brother, no matter what the plans for the future may be.

The months in college pass quickly. We’re busy with classes and having as much fun as possible while still trying to cram sleep in somewhere.

Marco hangs out with us sometimes when he’s not busy. We have yet to discuss the night of the almost kiss. He also hasn’t tried to get close to me since then, either.

Maybe he’s just not interested, or maybe my mind made more of it than there was? All I know is that it will make for an unpleasant situation later on if we don’t figure this out.

It’s Friday, and we’re planning on heading to a party off campus at one of Marco’s college friend’s houses.

Rosie begged him, and he relented with a couple of rules we must follow. We agreed, and that sealed the deal.

It’s themed Devils and Angels night, which I find silly, but I’m not going to turn down my first college party.

We’re decked out in flowy dresses that hit a couple of inches above our knees. Rosie in white, me in black. Angel wings are strapped to our backs, and the cutest little halo crowns I madewith fake flowers and zip ties spray painted gold that are pointed to the heavens.

We both gaze in the mirror, smiling at each other. We look good.

There’s a knock on our door and Marco strolls in, looking wicked in his devil costume. Black slacks hang from this narrow waist with a red silk shirt and a cape. He even has little red horns on his mask and a pitchfork.

He looks at both of us for a few seconds. “No.”