Page 93 of Rules for Rule Breaking

“Maybe, but university in Europe is free, and we have space there too.”

Emmy tried to pass Kai the bottle, but he refused. He didn’t drink. He only smoked, but he had taken the night off.

“Let’s go check on the game, Kai. I think it’s almost time for some more numbers,” Emmy said, abruptly getting to her feet and shoving the bottle into Bobby’s hands.

“All right. Being in a closet was bringing me back to a dark time anyway.”

Emmy pulled Kai up, but being nearly twice her size, he almost pulled her down with him. She shooed him out of the room, and Winter was left awkwardly leaning on Bobby without the safety blanket of their best friends.

“This is sparkling cider,” Bobby said. “She set this up, didn’t she?”

Winter sighed. “Yup.”

Bobby Bae

46. WE WILL NOT GET CONFUSED

Hour Four

Winter took a swig of sparkling cider from the bottle Bobby was holding. She wiped her mouth with the back of her arm.

“Can you turn around?” she asked. “I have to say something, but I can’t with you looking at me like that.”

Bobby turned around, knocking over a broom.

Winter took several deep breaths. “I like you, Bobby. Like, a lot,” she said. “And the truth is that I never hated you. I hated what people would think. I hated that our parents would have loved it. I hated how uncomfortable you made me, but I never hated you.”

Bobby turned back around. Winter’s pupils were large like dinner plates as she stared at him intently. He was thankful he was already on the floor because he would have made quick friends with it if he hadn’t been. He tried to find the courage to move closer, but he was frozen.

Winter reached out and straightened his collar, but then lingered there for a moment before she pulled him into a rough embrace. His arms wrapped around her waist, and he nuzzled into her neck, finding a safe place for himself above her collarbone. Her hair tickled his cheek, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t let go.

“I’ve missed you too,” Winter said.

They pulled away to look at each other but didn’t drop the embrace.

“If I asked you to the homecoming dance, would you say yes?”

Winter’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Would you wear that suit?”

“I’d wear whatever you wanted. I’d go naked if you asked,” Bobby said, and Winter blushed.

The surrounding air was tense. The stars were waiting for Winter’s permission to align.

“Can I askyousomething?” Winter said, just above a whisper.

“Anything.”

“You don’t have to fly me around the world, Bobby. I already like you. Do I really have to go to Nasdaq, Greenland?”

“It’sNarsaq Kujalleq,” Bobby corrected. “And no, you can go wherever. I just want to make you happy. That’s all—no strings.”

Winter put a finger to her chin. “I’ve always wanted to visit Spain.”

“Done,” Bobby said.

“Great. And let me think about homecoming. Right now, I want to get back before the countdown.”

Bobby straightened himself out. He stood up and redid the button on his jacket. He then helped Winter up, and for a moment, he thought she might kiss him.