Remember This Part

19. Card Games Get Intense Sometimes

Thea.

"So let me get this straight," Nika begins, sitting up on her bed to look at me. A wild grin is on her face. "You spend practically all of yesterday making out next to a lake, and now you're going to hang out with his grandmother for, like, five hours?"

"I know you're making fun of me, but I'm dead serious when I say this is the best weekend of my life," I tell her. She laughs.

"Oh, I know. You haven't stopped smiling."

"I guess I liked him more than I thought," I admit.

"I'm so happy for you, you know. At first, I wasn't sure if he was good enough for you. But from what you've told me, he's been really sweet. Much nicer than you-know-who."

I shake my head.

"I don't want to compare him to Malcolm. Malcolm doesn't exist to me anymore. I want a fresh start."

"I support that," Nika affirms. "You deserve something good, Thea."

"Thanks," I say with a smile. "You do, too. How's your thing with Lucas going?" Her own grin fades.

"I don't know," she murmurs, flopping back down on her bed with a huff. "Does it even count as a relationship if we haven't seen each other since high school?"

"It's whatever you want it to be." I slide my bag over my shoulder as I talk. "And you'll meet up soon. Thanksgiving break, right? That's in less than two weeks."

"You're right. I'm nervous about that."

"You already know the important things about each other," I point out. "Now it's just the fun stuff."

"You're so lucky your boyfriend goes to BMU."

Boyfriend. I still can't believe it.

"Unfortunately, so does my ex."

"Hey, he doesn't exist. Remember?"

"Right." At that moment, my phone vibrates with an incoming text.

Alex: I'm outside.

"Have fun," Nika says, as if reading my mind. But then she sits up quickly and adds, "Wait! Before you go, I have to confirm a meeting time with that lady on Wellington Street. The Wednesday before break works for you, right? At four o'clock?"

"Yeah, that's fine," I answer. "Thanks for setting it up." For the last few weeks, Nika and I have been trying to find a place to lease for next year. So far, we've had no luck. Every decent apartment gets swept out from underneath us.

"No problem," she responds. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Bye," I bid, exiting our room.

I head downstairs to see that—of course—Alex is outside waiting for me. This man is never late for anything, apparently. When I make it to his car and climb in, he gives me a charming smile that makes my insides warm.

"I thought you were driving Imelda and Ellie," I remark, buckling myself in. "Where are they?"

"I dropped them off already," he says. "They like to go early, and I figured you'd want to sleep in a bit more."

"Alex, you really don't have to make two trips for me," I say, raising a concerned eyebrow.

"I don't mind," he assures me with a shrug. "Plus—" he now leans over the console and cradles the side of my face with his hand, brings his lips to mine, and gives me a hot, languid kiss. My heart speeds up and continues at a rapid pace even when he pulls away again.