Page 26 of Fly's Path

The waiter comes by to take the empty dishes and asks, “Would you like a dessert menu?”

I’m not usually a sweet person, but I turn to the girls, who shake their heads. “Just the check, please.”

“The bill has already been taken care of.” He moves away before I can ask who paid it.

A quick scan of the room assures me that there isn’t a random family member or friend of the family who decided to try to ingratiate themselves to me, which leaves one person.

The two of us are going to have a conversation about that. Right after I stop smiling. Lola isn’t into me because of the money.

***

Like the jerk I’m supposed to be, I pull to a stop in front of the girls’ dorm and hop out to open the doors for the two of them.

Kerri immediately pulls her backpack onto her shoulders and says, “Lunch was fun. Thanks.”

“It was. I’ll meet you upstairs in a few minutes so we can start studying. I just need to talk to Van for a second.”

This is it. She’s going to break up with me.

My heart sinks.

Kerri nods and walks away.

I take a fortifying breath as Lola turns to me and says, “What was that, Van? You made Kerri uncomfortable, and you did it on purpose.”

Yeah, I did.

“It feels like you did it to test me or to push me away. I’m not sure which, but I don’t like it, whichever it is.”

How did she know that?

“Oh, don’t look so shocked. You’re a horrible liar. Every emotion you’re feeling shows on your face.” Lola walks up and pokes a finger into my chest. “What is going on in that head of yours? Did you really want me to hate you?”

“Yes.” I’ve got to stop with this honesty thing.

“Why?” Her hand flattens but stays firmly on my chest.

Even through clothing, it’s a brand forever marking me. “Lola—”

“No. If you want me to hate you, you need to be an actual jerk instead of pretending to be one.”

“I could really be a jerk. You don’t know me that well.”

She raises an eyebrow at me. “Do you really think because I’m pretty that makes me blind? I watched your face when Kerri saw the prices on the menu. You hated every second of that, but you did it anyway. Then, when you found out I paid, you smiled all the way back. That made me think you were afraid I was a gold digger. What is with all the mixed signals?”

“You should walk away from me. I’m not the man you think I am.”

“That’s the thing, Van, you’re exactly the man I think you are. And that has nothing to do with how much money you have, how fancy your watch is, or what car you drive. Are you hearing me? I don’t care about that. But I think I could really care about you, and I refuse to let you push me away.”

“Lola—”

“Is whatever you were about to say going to irritate me?”

I grin. “Probably.”

“Then just don’t. I’m not a silly schoolgirl who is going to let you push me away because you’re scared of whatever this is that we’re feeling. I’m too stubborn for that.”

“I’m beginning to get the stubborn part.”