Chapter 10

The next day,I sat on the edge of Willow's bed, my legs folded under me. Her room smelled like lavender and old books. I knew that I needed to talk to someone about Reese and I still wasn't having much luck at getting a hold of Kristina. "So..." I said, while I picked at a loose thread on her comforter. "Reese kissed me yesterday."

Willow's eyes went wide. She leaned forward, gripping my hands. "He did what? Oh, my god! I can't believe it!" Her smile faded. "Wait. When? What about Blair?"

I sighed, flopping back on the bed. "We snuck away for a little while when we were at the lake and I don't know about Blair," I admitted. "He said that they weren't together, and I was caught up in the moment, but I probably shouldn't have trusted he was telling me the truth. Maybe I need to talk to Blair? And make sure?"

Willow nodded sympathetically. "Well, how do you feel about him? Do you like him?"

I stared up at the ceiling. Did I like Reese? His confidence, his bright green eyes, the feeling of his lips on mine...

"Yeah," I sighed. "Unfortunately, I think I do."

Willow squealed and threw her hands in the air. "Oh, this is so exciting! So what's going to happen next?"

I sat up again. "Well, he said he's having some friends over tonight."

"Eek!" Willow bounced a little on the bed. "Well, then we're going!"

I bit my lip. "I just don't know if it's a good idea. My family would probably flip if they knew. I feel like I shouldn't keep putting myself in these situations when I know it can't go anywhere."

Willow waved her hand. "It'll be fine! Don't worry so much." She grinned. "You never know where it could lead. And you don't have to decide anything tonight. Just enjoy yourself."

I still felt unsure, but I hoped she was right. My mind drifted back to the kiss, thinking about Reese's soft lips against mine. The memory brought back a flood of feelings.

I nodded, feeling uneasy. "I hope so. I just can't stop thinking about that kiss. What did it mean, you know? Does he actually like me?"

Willow squeezed my arm reassuringly. "Of course he does! Why else would he kiss you?"

"I honestly don't know." I frowned. "Maybe it didn't mean anything. Maybe he does this with all the girls."

"No way." Willow shook her head firmly. "I've seen girls throw themselves at him before, and he doesn't entertain very many. He could have anyone he wanted, and he kissed you. That boy has to be into you."

I felt a glimmer of hope. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely." Willow smiled. "I wouldn't worry about it. This is what summer is about. Maybe it will go somewhere, maybe it won't. But I do know one thing, you and I are going to have fun along the way, girlfriend!"

I took a deep breath. Willow somehow knew how to make me feel better. "You're right. I'm overthinking this."

"That's my girl," Willow sprang up and headed for her closet. "Now, what are you going to wear? We need to make sure you look hot."

I laughed as she began rifling through her clothes. No matter what happened, at least I'd have Willow by my side. I knew she'd always be in my corner.

A couple of hours later, Willow and I stepped into Reese's house. This party was even bigger than his last. I thought this would be a small get-together, but this was definitely a full-blown party. I scanned the crowded foyer, searching for those familiar green eyes, but only found unfamiliar faces flushed with alcohol.

"Are his parents ever around?" I said loudly in Willow"s ear.

"I think his family travels in the summer. He stays here for baseball. But I'm going to go get us a drink," Willow yelled over the music.

I continued to make my way through the house and was just about to give up my search for Reese when I spotted him through the open doorway of the kitchen—or rather, a glimpse of his dark hair with a look of annoyance in his eyes. He was with Blair, engaged in what appeared to be an intense conversation.

Curiosity piqued as I quietly approached the doorway and positioned myself just around the corner, out of their sight, but close enough to see their heated exchange out of the corner of my eye.

"We always fall back into the same pattern," I heard him say, frustration evident in his voice. "We both want something more, so maybe it's time we actually cut it off completely and do something different."

"What about the Bayside Ball?" She persisted, her manicured hands clenched at her sides.

He exhaled sharply, his eyes not meeting hers. "Blair," he said, his voice low and steady, "the last time I took you, you spent the whole night on your phone. Now you don't have to worry about it."

Her expression shifted, Blair looked as if she'd been slapped. "Are you serious right now?" She scoffed, clearly offended by his statement. "I could have anyone I want. I could go to the Bayside Ball with anyone I want. You'd regret it if you really pushed me away this time."

I could hear the ice clinking against the glass as Reese took a sip of his drink before responding. "It's not about that... we're stuck in this cycle that isn't making either of us happy. We hook up or attend whatever dumb work event our dads force us to go to, and we hardly even talk some days. Don't you want a real relationship with someone? We need to stop doing the same shit over and over."

It struck me then that beneath Reese's carefree attitude, there was a hidden depth to him—he wanted something more substantial. Compassion resonated within me, as I could hear the sadness in his voice. As their argument continued, I realized this was a side of Reese that he didn't show very often. It was a side that drew me in even more.

Blair slammed her drink down on the counter and sounded even more angry now. "Fine. But don't come running back to me again when you realize the mistake you've made."

"Just listen," Reese sighed, as if the weight of their history was heavy on his shoulders. "I'm not trying to hurt you. I want something better for both of us. You don't deserve some half-ass relationship."

I held my breath while I waited for her response, but she remained silent. A tense moment passed before I heard the sound of footsteps approaching toward the doorway. Panicking, I quickly moved further into the shadows, hoping they hadn't noticed my presence. As she stormed past, her stiletto heels were clicking angrily against the hardwood floor.

I knew it wasn't the right time, but I couldn't help wondering what this might mean for Reese and me. This boy who held everyone at arm's length was searching for something deeper. The thought of exploring that depth alongside him—and what that would be like was something I couldn't wrap my head around.

Wanting to get as far away as I could from what had just happened, I walked around until I found Willow again in the crowd. She smiled warmly at me, the kind of bright smile that could put anyone at ease.

"There you are! Did you find Reese?" she asked, handing me a drink and inching closer so she could hear me over the music.

"No, but it's okay, he's here somewhere—I'll bump into him at some point," I responded, taking a sip of the drink, trying not to think about Reese and Blair's argument that I shouldn't have been listening to.

"Let's dance!" Willow shouted, pulling me into the center of the group. As we danced and sang along to the lyrics, I couldn't help but begin to let loose, allowing any worry I had from earlier to melt away. I was lost in the moment of being surrounded by friends. Our voices and laughter blended together as one.

But then, as I twirled around, my eyes locked with Reese's across the room. He was leaning against the wall with a group of his friends nearby, his intense gaze never leaving me. There was an extremely hot smirk on his lips, making me suddenly feel the heat under his stare. My heart raced, and I froze-–suddenly feeling like I was under a spotlight.

"Chandler, I don't hear you singing!" Willow's voice pulled me back to reality.

I continued to sing along with her, trying to shake off the feeling of knowing he was watching. Still, I couldn't help but continue to glance at him from time to time, wondering what thoughts were running through his mind as he watched me. Was it all in my mind, or was that smoldering look in his eyes filled with desire?