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Can he?
“I like you too,” I admit, my voice almost a whisper. “As a friend.”
“Right.” He nods, his gaze focused on the fire as well. “We’re friendly.”
“For sure.” I’m nodding as well. “Keeps things simple.”
“I like simple.”
“Me too.”
“Guess we have that in common.”
“I suppose so,” I murmur. “It’s been rough for me since I came back.”
“Rough how?”
“I’ve felt a little out of sorts since I came back here.”
“What do you mean?”
“No one really ever tries to talk to me. Everyone feels like a stranger, except for Iris. Well, and you’ve been nice to me too.”
“I don’t intimidate easily.” His friendly smile makes me smile at him in response.
“I’m sure that’s not the issue when it comes to me,” I say, my voice wry. Come on now, we don’t need to get too carried away.
“Seriously, Will? You do know why you’re sitting here alone on this log watching the fire, right?” I shake my head, both curious and dreading what he’s about to say. “Everyone’s intimidated by you. Even little Silas over there.”
He waves a hand in Silas’s direction, who is still with Alana. She doesn’t seem as rigid as she did a few minutes ago.
“No way.” I shake my head.
“Definitely,” Rhett says with a nod. “You’re intimidating as fuck.”
“I don’t even understand how.” I find it incredibly difficult to believe that’s the case. I’m just me. I haven’t changed that much over the years, and it feels like I’ve become more invisible since returning to Lancaster Prep.
“You’re a Lancaster. You’re a senior. You’ve got this air about you that seems to say that you’re … I don’t know. Better than everyone else?” He lifts his brows, and oh my God …
I’m horrified by him saying that. Devastated.
“Do I act like a snobby—bitch around everyone? Is that why?” My voice is a harsh whisper and I swear, tears are threatening to spill.
“What? No. Not at all. I described that all wrong. You’re just—you emit something. It’s like your aura or some shit.” He shifts on the log, seemingly uncomfortable, and I wonder if it’s from sitting for too long or if it’s what he’s saying that’s making him act a certain kind of way? “You’re like … sophisticated. Mysterious.”
“Mysterious?”
“Yeah. Very mysterious. All the mystery that swirls around you makes me want to get to know you better. Figure you out. Just as friends, though.” He stares straight ahead, as if he’s transfixed by the fire, and I study his chiseled profile for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
“Maybe that’s what we should do then,” I murmur.
His head swivels in my direction, his brows drawn together. “Do what?”
“Get to know one another better. Figure each other out.” I pause. “As friends.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Willow
