Falling For My Nemesis

I frowned and threw a sugar packet at him. “What?”

“I just find it interesting that you didn’t want to tell me about your encounter with Olivia.”

“Ugh. I knew you’d think I had some ulterior reason for not telling you, but the truth is I just forgot.”

“Forgot.” He said the word like he was trying to decipher the meaning. “Was this Wednesday when you came over to discuss the project?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged. What was his point?

“That’s interesting. Because I saw you outside before you even entered the house which means you had probably just run into Olivia. It’s amazing how you forgot so quickly. Like within minutes.”

I scoffed. “You have a way about you that makes me instantly forget everything.” My cheeks burned as the words left my lips, knowing how they would sound. That totally wasn’t what I meant.

“Really?” He raised his brows, and sure enough, he was running with it. “My presence is so intoxicating it makes your brain shut down? I mean, I knew I had that power over other girls, but not you.”

“That’s not what I meant.” I gripped my cup so hard, I thought it might burst. “I meant that you annoy me. You’re so infuriating that I forget.”

“Uh-huh, sure. Whatever you say.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know. Sure, you are.” His stupid blue eyes sparkled as he teased.

“See. Right now is a perfect example,” I said through gritted teeth.

He laughed, to which I growled and subsequently grabbed my first snowflake and angrily scribbled the first name and gift on it. He took his first one and did the same, smug smile still in place.

After a few minutes, I forgot how annoyed I was, wrapped up in the requests on the page, the simple wants and desires from people who had very little. Things we took for granted like body wash, a shaving kit, lotion, fuzzy socks, and slippers. Once we finished, we began hanging them on the tree with string.

“Are you going to the dance?” Carson asked, breaking the silence.

His question surprised me. Was he still thinking about that?

“Um. I don’t know. I mean, it’s our last winter formal, so I’d like to,” I said, conveniently leaving out the part where I didn’t have a date.

“Who’s taking you?” He turned to the tree, but I could see him glancing my way out of the corner of his eye.

“Uh, what?”

“I asked who you’re going with?”

“I think we need to spread these out a little more,” I said, motioning toward a cluster of snowflakes.

“Why are you avoiding my question?”

“I’m not avoiding your question.”

“You totally are.”

“Am not.”

He placed his hands on his hips. “Then why haven’t you answered me yet?”

“Because I don’t have a date. Happy?”

Carson grinned. “Kind of.”

I glared at him, wondering if I could melt him with my eyes. When I didn’t say anything else, he asked, “So, little Miss Perfect is dateless, huh?”