“I expect a lot. I want respect, manners, and an occasional dinner.”
“It’ll have to be breakfast in bed.”
“Good breakfast?”
“Can we negotiate later? I’m late for class.” I lean in and force her eyes to mine. “Don’t disappear on me again. If we’re having a fight, I need the opportunity to defend myself.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Come to my place at eleven tonight. Text me when you pull up, and I’ll sneak you in. There are always ballplayers over when my roommate is home, so we’ll have to be careful.”
“K.”
I shut her door, and we share a smile through the window before I turn and make my way towards campus, reeling with how easily I just gave in to what I wanted. It’s the first selfish thing I’ve done since I started TGU. Harper will be for me. She’s the one thing I want out of the rest of my time here, even if it’s running out. But deep down I know there’s more truth. I couldn’t deny this girl anything.
I’m definitely falling for her.
Harper
Elated on the drive home, I dial René’s number. I met him at dance camp in sixth grade, and we’ve been inseparable since. He’s the true best friend in the way time and space don’t matter. Even without speaking for weeks or months, we remain thick as thieves.
“What’s up, Mami? Dey have three openings left in the show. Come to New York, now, I know ju’ll get one of dem.
“He wants to be exclusive.”
My phone beeps and I see it’s René requesting FaceTime.
I answer and mount my cell on the dash.
“Dis is not an announcements for a phone call!”
“I’m driving,” I giggle, giddy as hell. I call this feeling ‘The Lance Effect.’
“All de stress dis week for nothing. Do ju have a picture?”
“Don’t go there right now.”
“Too soon?”
“Way too soon.”
“Oh, Mami, ju are glowing. I’m so happy for ju. So, he likes to play with balls too?”
“Cute.”
“Be careful dis one. If he’s too pretty, he probably got a mean streak.”
“He can be bitchy but not with me. He’s patient with me. And I think you would love him.”
“I can’t wait to meet him. Bring him at Christmas.”
“I’m going to try.”
“Ju know I miss ju so much. Is so cold here al