Page 25 of Tempted

I’m listening to music and having my lunch ina booth at the back of the diner when I decide to make a playlistfor Gage. He definitely deserves his own playlist. The first song Iadd is Saving Jane’s “Butterflies” because, well, he gives mebutterflies. Or maybe Alicia Keys’ “Butterflyz”...What the hell.I’ll add both.Next, I add Maroon 5’s “It Was Always You”. Ihave to add Colbie Caillat’s “Bubbly” and definitely “’03 Bonnieand Clyde”. We’re totally like the new Bonnie and Clyde...minus thewhole part with the dying. Oh, also Tamia and Fabolous’ “So IntoYou”.

My heart leaps into my throat when someoneslams their palms down on the table. I look up to see Chrissygrinning down at me. Chick scared the hell out of me. I remove myearbuds and smile back at her.

“Hola,chica,” she greetsme.

I slide from the booth, put one arm aroundher and kiss her cheek.

“Man…I still can’t get over this kissthing.”

“It’s a Miami thing. ¿Quepasa?” I ask as we take opposite sides of the booth.

“Nothing much. Wanted to talk about mybirthday plans.”

She reaches over and snags a few fries frommy plate as I ask, “You decide what you wanna do?”

“My parents wanna have a party, to whichyou’re invited, of course.”

“You sure that’s a good idea? I don’t want tomake Chris uncomfortable. It’s his birthday, too.”

I haven’t spoken to him since that night atChiquita’s. I’ve tried contacting him a few times with no luck, soI’m leaving it up to him whether he wants to talk or not.

“You’re my best friend. I need youthere.”

“And I want to be there. I just don’t want toruin it for him.”

“You may be right. I’ve never seen himthis…withdrawn before.”

“I hate myself for what I did. It wasn’t fairto him.”

“Eventually, he’ll understand that you had todo what’s best for you.”

“I hope so.”

She reaches toward my plate again, and I pushit to the center of the table so she’ll have better access.

“Okay. I won’t push you on the party, butwe’re going dancing after with a few of my other friends.”

“No problem. Where do you wanna go?”

“Scythe. It’s an eighteen-and-over club justoutside of town.”

“And how do you expect me to get in?”

She leans back with a smirk. “Shouldn’t be aproblem since yourpapichuloowns it.”

“He’s not –”

“Yeah, yeah…says the girl who spent the nightin his bed.”

I bite my lip and look down at my platesheepishly. I haven’t told her about last night.

“What’s that look?”

“I stayed with him again last night,” Iwhisper.

“You bitch! Did you have hot, monkeysex?”

“Hot what?” I giggle. “No, he won’t. Notuntil my birthday, even though it’s perfectly legal. The age ofconsent here is sixteen.”