Page 180 of On His Mind

The guys disappear to find the vending machine and the ice and whatever else takes five grown men forty-five minutes. Aspen and I end up on my bed with the girls piling in — Melly and Lucy wandering in from next door in their pajamas, Giannaarriving with bottles of water for each of us, handing them around.

“I don’t know why we didn’t do this last year or the year before,” she says, opening her bottle.

“I’m just glad to be done with finals,” Melly says.

Gianna says, “You and Percy cannot keep your hands to yourselves.”

I blush.

“I thought you two have been together for years.”

I gulp the water and nod. “We have.”

Gianna bumps Aspen and says, “You and Stan are hilarious. You two fight like cats and dogs.”

She shrugs. “He likes that I’m mean to him.”

We all laugh at that.

She smiles. “I’m just kidding. He knows how to get on my nerves.”

Gianna rolls her eyes. “He knows how to get on everyone’s nerves.”

“True.”

“Where are you sleeping?” Lucy asks Gianna.

She replies reluctantly, “The couch. Rowan’s taking the ground.”

Lucy shakes her head. “Sleep on the bed with me. Benson and Rowan can take the couch.”

Gianna hugs Lucy. “That’s why she’s my best friend.”

They get up. “Come on. Let’s go set it up for them.”

Aspen lies flat on her bed when Melly follows them out.

“How much do you want to bet Stanley is buying one of everything from the vending machine?” Aspen says.

I lie down and laugh. “He would, wouldn’t he?”

“He’s going to see me on skis and want to try to ski tomorrow, so midday, I’m expecting him to switch.”

“I think you know him better than he knows himself.”

She laughs. “What do you think Percy’s doing right now?”

I drop my shoulders and mock his blank face.

She throws her head back and laughs. “He doesn’t say a word like ever.”

I shake my head. “He doesn’t.”

“I think you two are cute. Probably my favorite couple,” she whispers. “He can’t keep his hands to himself. His love language is physical touch, isn’t it?”

I hadn’t thought of that, but I agree. “Yeah. What’s Stanley’s?”

She turns onto her stomach. “Being ignored. Watch — when he comes back, I won’t acknowledge him.”