Page 25 of Things I Read About

Step up to help Dad with Sally.

Get Sally everything she needs.

I decide instead to reply with a simple laugh emoji. I don’t want to upset Susan. Or Dad, or Gran, or anyone else in the family.

They were all doing their best at the time, and they love me. Not worth speaking up over. It's fine. The nicknames will wear off eventually. Maybe Surgeon Sally will catch on.

I pull out my iPad and use the unexpected down time for additional studying. I have a new novel loaded on my Kindle but if I start now, I won’t want to stop. While I get totally absorbed in my studies, I have much less trouble tucking that away when my alarm goes off.

I hobble on one crutch back to the suite. I don’t think I’ll be able to ski the rest of the trip. I also don’t think I’ll be able to wear my sexy black heels tonight, which is deeply disappointing. Not only did I have a certain bad-girl look I was going for, but I will be dwarfed in the crowded bar. The bar where I am desperately hoping Nate appears, looking for me in the aforementioned crowds.

Sad, sappy, silly Sally. I have days left ahead of me, so what if Nate doesn’t show? I need to channel the hope and confidence that prompted me to walk up to him in the first place.

Yes. I need to get my groove back. I smile at the thought as I swipe my key card. I think Gran was the first one to explain that phrase to me.Groove on, 1970s. Referencing both the groove of the music as well as the grooves on vinyl records.

I do manage to find my groove as I get ready. I pair Kat’s combat boots with black jeans and a very low-cut gray sweater.

After a monologue about how great my boobs are, Kat does my make-up again. This time she puts my hair up in a fun pony and lends me a pair of spiked earrings to complete the look.

“So?” I ask Janie.

She chuckles. “I mean, maybe if I didn’t know you I could buy that you’re not a total goody-goody?”

I groan but my cousin comforts me. “But wedoknow you. No one else does, and you look fierce. You told Nate you’re a pianist, lean into that idea.”

“I am a pianist.”

“No,” Kat almost laughs. “Not a pianist. A rock star. Find your inner dark, tortured artist.”

Janie cocks her head. “You could be a tortured pianist.”

“Better than nerdy little sister, I guess.” I tuck my phone, key, and cards into my back pocket. “Let’s just go.”

_____

The bar is crowded and loud so I’m surprised I can even hear the low gravelly voice right next to my ear. “Heard you were looking for me.”

I smile wide and turn.

Oh. Bummer.

“Evan,” Kat yells. “You’re here. I heard it was your night off.”

He lifts his chin at her with a wide smile. “It is”—his eyes come back down to me—“butI heardwe had a hot crowd tonight.”

My smile resurfaces. Okay. This is nice.

“And you’re wearing short sleeves.” Kat points at his arms. He frowns, but I don’t. Kat wags her eyebrows at me, being as obvious as possible without actually yelling“Look, he has tattoos!”

Evan laughs awkwardly, unsure. “Do you need a coat? I left it in the back when I came in.”

“No, I’m fine thanks.” I fiddle with one of the dangling earrings.

Evan is seeming hotter by the second. But I’m distracted, looking for Nate, like I have been for the two hours that we’ve been here. I want Evan to leave, in case Nate shows. I also want Evan to stay, in case Nate shows.

I need some ibuprofen. This is exhausting.

“So, Sally, are you here on spring break?” Evan asks.