Page 39 of Make No Mistake

“Yeah.”

She reached to her right leg. “You don’t sound very excited.”

“It means my senior project has to change.”

She nodded and gracefully moved to her left leg. “I’m sorry about that. Really I am. But isn’t it a good thing he was caught? Now no one else will get hurt.”

See, that was a normal person response. Was I that selfish?

“No, you’re right. It’s great.”

“I’ve got an idea.” She sat up with her legs still in near splits.

“What?”

“Let’s go out tonight. You need a pick me up, and I need a break from worrying about this show.”

“Just us?” I smiled even though she couldn’t see. I couldn’t remember the last time we went out just the two of us, and it was fine. She and Carter were fun to be around, and I knew they valued any time they could be together.

“If you want.” She kept her tone neutral, but I knew better.

“I’m kidding. Bring Carter along.”

“Only if you bring Jay.”

I rolled my eyes even though I knew it was coming. “You know, I don’t think he’s ever asked me out. Don’t you think I should make him work for it?”

She turned her head to me and narrowed her eyes. “He’s worked for four years. I say give the poor guy a break.”

Four years? There’s no way.

He wasn’t interested in me when Sean was here. Was he?

“Yes. I can hear your brain overloading from here. He’s always been interested in you, Mac. He just hasn’t had a chance until now.”

“Oh.”

“So cut him some slack and go ask him to come out with you tonight.”

“Fine, bossy.”

She laughed while I stood and went into my room.

I pulled out my phone and called Jay. Part of me was hoping to leave a message, which was quite pathetic. It’s not like he was …

“Hey.”

It took me a second to realize he’d answered. “Oh hi, Jay.”

“What’s up?”

“Aubrey wants to go out tonight and invited us.” I closed my eyes and prayed he hadn’t noticed that I grouped us together. Like we were a single unit. Or worse … a couple.

“Sounds good. Any idea what we’re doing?”

“No, but I promise it won’t involve fish.”

He laughed, and I relaxed a bit. We were just two friends that were going to hang out with some other friends. Big group of friends.