now,” I admit, feeling foolish.
Hating that I just said that out loud.
“This is why you should try and talk to him without anyone else around. I know you love your friend group, and they are all so supportive. I wish I had that many friends when I was your age, but sometimes their voices and opinions can get in the way.” Her smile is gentle, her gaze sincere.
I know she’s right.
“Maybe I’ll text him.” Oh wait. I can’t.
I’m blocked.
I meet Gracie for dinner at Southgate, a local restaurant that is part brew house and has fantastic food. Tourists and locals flock to the place, but considering it’s October, there are more locals than tourists currently occupying tables. It’s funny how Gracie has turned into a local, though I’m sure she’s not necessarily embraced by the community yet since she only started at the elementary school in August.
I remember how reluctant the locals were to accept my family into the fold, and my dad is a freaking NFL Super Bowl champion for the love of God. He won them over by coaching in the youth football league and then at the high school. Only then were the Callahans fully embraced as part of the community.
Gotta love small towns.
“Are you liking it here?” I wrinkle my nose, fully prepared for Gracie to complain. She grew up in the Bay Area, so she’s used to big cities. She’d complain that Fresno was too small for her sometimes.
“I love it here. Everyone’s so friendly and accepting,” she says, her eyes sparkling and a giant smile on her face. We’ve already ordered drinks and appetizers—no alcohol, since I’m still only twenty, and Gracie drove herself here—and I’m dying to drill her for info on Caleb.
And maybe a little info about Eli too.
“Really?” I didn’t expect her to say that.
She nods. “Once they found out Caleb is my boyfriend, I was considered one of them. His parents are an institution in this town. Multi-generational. His grandparents still live here too.”
“I forgot about that.” I stir my straw in my Coke, then take a sip. “You and Caleb doing good?”
“Yes, can you believe it? Remember how much I hated him?” A sigh escapes her and she’s got this dreamy look on her face. It’s kind of annoying, only because I recognize it and am currently experiencing a twinge of jealousy.
“I always figured the hate was a mask for all that sexual tension brimming between the two of you,” I tease her.
“There was always something, huh? It was hard not to notice.” She rests her elbow on the table, her chin propped on her fisted hand. “Just like there’s still something between you and Eli.”
My cheeks grow warm and I duck my head for a moment, fighting embarrassment. I’ve told no one about our kiss on Saturday night. Not even Ellie, and I tell her everything.
Can I tell Gracie?
“Did something happen between you two?”
Hmm, sounds like she already suspects.
When I still remain quiet, her eyes narrow and she leans across the table, her voice pitching low as she says, “Something did happen. It’s written all over your face.”
“He kissed me.” I shrug, trying to play it off.
“Did you kiss him back?”
“Well, yeah.” Duh, is what I want to say, but I’m trying to remain mature about the situation.
“And was it good? Better than usual?”
It feels like she’s living in my head. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“I’m curious, and I’m watching out for you. Eli can be very…persuasive.” I’m about to ask her how she knows this when she continues, “I lived with him, which he talked me into doing, by the way, even though I knew it might be a huge mistake. He can convince just about anyone to do something they don’t want. He’s rather—charming.”
“Unless he’s pissed at you. Then he’s not charming at all,” I mutter, making her laugh.