Out of Character (True Colors 2)

“I’m reconsidering teaching you to drive a stick.” I chuckled as my teeth rattled. “Where did you learn to drive, anyway?”

“My mom.”

“Explains a lot.” For a nice lady who drove a minivan, Jasper’s mother tended to drive like she was going for a personal best. “And I’m kidding. I’ll teach you, but my baby doesn’t like rough handling.”

“Oh?” Jasper’s voice dropped. Fuck. I hadn’t meant to make a dirty joke, but now here I was with more thoughts about his hands and where I’d like them.

I made a choking sound right as he parked—an adventure in and of itself. “Careful.”

“You forget I’m a math genius. Estimation and rapid calculations are strengths of mine.”

“Maybe so, but I saw the dings on your bumper,” I retorted, laughing again. I’d forgotten how fun he could be to joke with.

“Those were there when I got the car.” His eyebrow wag made my face heat, and I wasn’t entirely sure why. “Come on. Let’s get some food.”

The small pizza place was between a barbershop and a coffee shop packed with students.

“Almost forgot to ask. What’s your test in?” I asked as we walked up the sidewalk from where we’d had to park.

“Stochastic processes. It looks at mathematical modeling including discrete and continuous-time Markov chains and Poisson processes.”

“I don’t understand a word you said,” I admitted as we entered the pizza parlor. It had more of a hippie vibe than Italian, with light wood decor, beachy colors, and bold fonts on a giant wall menu.

“Oh, it’s fun,” he said and launched into a detailed explanation as we got in line to give our orders. I tried to follow along with his mini-math class as I surveyed the potential places for us to sit.

As in the coffee shop, clumps of students dominated the tables, many with books and laptops out. Most were in groups of three or four, but the smaller tables along the far wall were all occupied by twosomes. Some were clearly friends, but others were probably couples. Trying to guess which were which was a fun game. Two guys with ball caps at the back of the room were deep in conversation. Probably frat bros. Then one touched the other’s hand, holding it as he smiled. Okay. Not bros.

And now I was back to wondering if people would assume Jasper and I were on a date. And if we were, how did I feel about that? Like, part of me definitely wanted this to be a date, preferably one that ended in another try to be not-terrible at kissing. The other part wanted it, too, but that part was a little seasick at the idea of all those eyeballs on me.

“See anything you want?” Jasper smiled at me, wide and unrestrained, hair still wild from his quick costume change, light reflecting in his summer-sky eyes. I’d suffer more than a little discomfort to earn more of those smiles.

“Yeah.” My voice came out too husky.

“And? Which flavor?”

Oops. He’d meant pizza. “You know me. More meat the better. Anything from the carnivore section of the board would work. Or whatever you want. You’re the one who’s been here before.”

“I am.” He nodded solemnly, and I still wasn’t entirely sure we were talking about pizza. “Trust me?”

“Absolutely.” That much was never in doubt.

“Good. Go snag us that table over there. I need room for the laptop. I’m going to surprise you with something delicious.”

“I can’t wait.” My steps were almost Jasper-level bouncy as I hurried to claim the table. I liked him giving me orders and didn’t want to dwell on why that was. And it was true. I couldn’t wait for whatever came next.

Chapter Seventeen

Jasper

Telling myself that this wasn’t a date didn’t make my pulse slow one bit as I made my way to the table Milo had claimed. To my surprise, he wasn’t on his phone as he waited, but rather he had a mini sketchbook out, expression intent as his pencil moved across the page. I allowed myself the pleasure of watching him work for a few moments before I set the little plastic tent with our order number on the table.

“Oh, there you are.” His smile made my toes curl inside my sneakers. “Gonna tell me what you got?”

“Nope.” I grinned at him. “Gonna show me your sketch?”

“I don’t usually draw around people I know, but I had this idea and you didn’t laugh at my earlier one—”

“Of course not!” I glared at him. He was crazy-talented and couldn’t seem to see it. His Neptune had looked exactly like a promo piece for a Disney movie. Preferably one where the prince got his guy.

“Okay, okay. This is a rough idea of something I might do bigger if you don’t think it would be too stupid.” He tore the sheet out of the book and passed it over.