Page 70 of Fly's Path

“The government does a lot of work to help the world. I would take a job there.” Maia trusts way too easily.

“Only if you don’t get into Genevieve Labs.” Kerri grins. “Which you are. We all know it. How couldn’t Nathaniel Kentworth choose you? And once you get in, you can put in a good word for me.”

“Only if you keep your grades up.” How close to graduating is Maia? She looks like she’s the same age as the rest of the girls—in her early twenties, but don’t medical researchers have to have a doctorate?

“I am. That’s why I’m planning on spending Friday night in the library. Want to join me?”

“Sure. I’m always good for a study session.” Maia turns to Lola. “You want to join us?”

“No, she should come with Suzie and me to a party Friday night.” LynnLeigh turns to Lola, holding a fry that’s ready to lose the concoction she created.

All eyes turn to Lola, waiting for her to make a choice.

Her eyes flit over to me for the briefest second. “I’m not sure. I’ll let you guys know.”

The pit of my stomach falls into the abyss. Of course, she won’t say anything. She’s probably waiting for me to ask her out. We’ve spent almost every minute together since we met.

Lola’s probably expecting me to ask her out on a date Friday night.

Only I can’t. There is no way I want Lola or any of her friends near my place when there are drug dealers and who knows what else around for a ‘party’.

Not a chance. I’m going to need to come up with an excuse…or a lie.

Anything to keep her away.

Saturday, we can go on our first official date. That is, if I’m not taking a drug dealer out that day.

My time here could be over in just a few days. But I don’t want it to be over with Lola. I need to figure all of this out…

Soon.

***

Every plausible lie that’s popped into my head since Lola gave me that look felt wrong. I need to tell her something, but what?

“You know, if your brow wrinkles any harder it’s going to get stuck like that.” Lola grins at me from across that couch in the library where we’re studying, aka, I’m reading a random book, and she’s actually reading one of her textbooks with a highlighter in hand. She nudges my foot with hers. “What’s wrong? Not liking the book?”

Just get it over with. I shut the book and scoot up, so I’m staring into her eyes. “Lola, I can’t take you out on a date this weekend.”

She blinks twice. “Okay.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to take you out. I’m looking forward to our first official date, but I already have plans for the weekend.” There, no lies, and it almost didn’t sound horrible.

“Okay.”

That was easy. Almost too easy.

“But I’m expecting a good one if I have to wait this long for it.”

A grin spreads across my face. “Understood.”

“One where I can wear a pretty dress, but don’t have to eat stuffy food.”

Oh. “Interesting.”

“Something thoughtful.” Now she’s just being cute.

“Any other requirements?”