In Between the Lines

Chapter 7: Rules and Revelations

"Words." I grinned, repeating my earlier sentiment. Hannah laughed, and my chest warmed—her happiness was infectious.

I reminded myself to apologize to Lewis when I saw him.

"Yesterday I told him I couldn't hang out because I worked from 4 until close," Hannah said, "and you know how dead weeknights get at Crooked Shelves."

I nodded and she went on, "So we were texting for a majority of the time, at least until he had to go to practice. Then afterwards he asked me how work was going and I told him I was bored—and that I couldn't wait to see him again. An hour later, he comes by and surprises me with chocolate and just stays with me at the bookstore until the very end of my shift. I knew how tired he was after practice, but he didn't care. He just kept asking me questions about myself while I stocked or ran titles and . . . he just really tried to get to know me. And even when I thought there would be nothing left for us to talk about, somehow, there always was. And oh god—now my cheeks are hurting from smiling so much."

I laughed as she rubbed at her jaw, trying and failing to erase her smile.

"I'm so happy for you, Han." I squeezed her hand gently. "Really."

Because I knew she was a hopeless romantic. And I knew that for all her flirtation and for all her talk about having fun with guys . . . a mask—to hide the girl who read more Jane Austen and Nicholas Sparks novels than anyone I'd ever known.

"Well, that's enough about me." She lifted a brow, aiming it at me. "What about you and Dez? Is something going on with that?"

I snorted. "If by something you mean a who-can-annoy-the-shit-out-of-the-other-person-more kind of something, then—"

"Hi."

Hannah and I paused from our conversation to look up at the boy suddenly standing in front of us. He wore a baseball cap backwards, wisps of his blonde hair sticking out from the sides. For some reason, he reminded me of a golden retriever—the too-innocent face, the wide brown eyes and slanted brows.

Hannah nudged me forward but said not so subtly, "And who are you?"

"I'm Adam." He nodded towards me, smiling. "You're Lyra, aren't you?"

Then he looked at Hannah almost as an afterthought and added, "And you're with Lewis. Hannah, right?"

Hannah nodded eagerly, as if the mere sound of Lewis's name next to hers was ripe music to her ears. "Actually, I think I'm gonna go off and find him. Do you know where the drinks are?"

"In the kitchen, to your left." Adam pointed through the back patio door. 

"Thanks! I'll catch you two later." Hannah turned and winked at me as she whispered, also not so subtly, "He's cute!" And then she walked off before I could protest. I watched her disappear through the doors and tried not to sigh before I turned around and faced Adam alone.

"So Lyra, how do you like being at Lincoln Valley?" Adam smiled, and he seemed genuine enough that I relaxed just a fraction.

"It's not bad . . . "

"Do I hear a but coming on?"

I gave him a half-smile. "It's a way bigger school than I expected, like a mini-college or something. It's a little overwhelming sometimes."

"I feel that. Have you ever been to one of the baseball games? They get crazy packed."

"No. Are you on the team?"

He nodded and gestured towards the crowd around us. "Most of the guys here are. Big school, big team."

I looked around and realized he was right. I recognized more of the faces from the team photos hanging on the walls of the school.