Page 15 of Let's Talk About Love

Her ears went hot. For as much TV as she watched, Alice never got into fan fiction. Writing critical analysis essays about her favorite shows and ships were her drug of choice. She wrote them for herself and for her like-minded friends. Sometimes she got lucky and online magazines bought her work.

“I showed you that in confidence,” she hissed.

A riot of giggles erupted from the group, drawing their attention.

Essie knocked on the top of the shelf with her knuckles. “Get to work or I’ll move you to dusting duty in the Takumi-free reference section.”

CHAPTER

7

The night air had a warmth to it that made it feel like the sun hadn’t set yet. The haze from the city lights created an artificial dome that made the black night sky seem less distant. Alice sat down on the plastic bench under the bus stop’s solar-powered awning.

She had ended up falling asleep before Feenie came home last night. And had also, maybe, possibly snuck out of the apartment before Feenie woke up to avoid her. She didn’t want to talk about Takumi yet. Strangely, Feenie hadn’t pushed either—after the first few messages:

Feenie switched to inspirational ones:

Alice started and stopped several messages to Feenie but wasn’t sure what to say. She rummaged through her bag—Ryan had found some “nutritional” protein bars that were on super sale (buy one, get two free). Two bites and she knew why they were so cheap. Chocolate dirt was too good of a descriptor for that travesty of a snack. A glob of it stuck to the roof of her mouth and the chalky aftertaste coated her teeth.

Her phone chimed again. Her sister, Aisha.

Alice cackled. She could practically hear her sister’s sharp screech, see her eyes widen and lips purse into a thin line. Was there a greater joy than antagonizing one’s siblings? Probably not.

She took another bite of her chalky granola bar before tossing the rest back into her purse. Her taste buds didn’t deserve the continued torment—not even to settle her demanding overlord of a stomach.

She bounced in her seat, giddy as all hell.God, did she love pissing Aisha off. Considering their age difference, they got along great, but it was a lot easier to get away with this through text. In person, her sister probably would have put her in a headlock until Alice apologized and did as she was told. Sometimes Aisha sat on her lower back, pinning her to the ground, and pinched the skin between her shoulder blades.

(Her older brother never helped.)

(Being the youngest had a lot of drawbacks.)

She’d only play with fire for a bit longer. Aisha could go from Tolerant Mentor to Evil Stepmother faster than a sparkly vampire jumping to save a girl from being crushed by a van.

“Hello, Alice.”

“Takumi!” She jumped in her seat and stared at him, cheeks chipmunk full. “Hi!”

“I didn’t mean to startle you.” He laughed, a deep beautiful chuckle that turned Alice’s dirt granola bar to ashes in her stomach. “Are you taking the bus?”

She nodded and swallowed. It slid down her throat in one solid lump.

“Do you want a ride?”

A ride. In his car. Alone.

Good God.

She shook her head.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“I’m fine. All the time. I mean, I take the bus. All the time.” She gave herself a mental high five for forming actual words.

(Granted, with a wonky sentence pattern and cadence, but words!)

He sat down.

He sat down right next to her.