CHAPTER SEVEN #3
‘I didn’t say anything.’ I tried not to gawk at the black card – a credit line with no preset limit. Besides, that wasn’t what was bugging me. ‘I just realized I still don’t know your last name.’
‘I know.’ He handed me my shake and took a gulp of his dairy-free one. ‘It’s been nice getting away from my usual scene. Spending time with you has been my breath of fresh air. One hour of not being perceived. One hour of just being Cas.’
He shook out his hand, as if trying to ease a cramp, then slid it back into mine. It was warm, and I had to stop myself from sinking into him. He was just a boy, and this was just an apology turned fake date. Says the girl holding his hand.
‘I won’t judge you,’ I said. ‘If that’s what you’re worried about. I just beat you at ten carnival games. You can’t be that fancy.’
He smiled but didn’t answer until we reached a Freedom System sign-up stand at the end of the pier.
A large holoscreen was playing clips from a random gala at Playa Gardens.
Cas stopped and pointed. Albert Fox, founder of Dominion, stood at a podium, accepting a lifetime achievement award.
He thanked the crowd and gestured toward his family.
‘Castor Fox,’ I said slowly. It took immense effort not to let my jaw drop.
‘Mhmm.’ He tilted his head, like he was asking permission. ‘Is that OK?’
My mind whorled. ‘Is it OK that your grandfather sponsors the lab at my school? That the building where I take all my chem classes has a wing dedicated to his achievements?’ His grandfather was the reason my former neighbor – now a thriving business owner – sold the most delicious half-smokes in South Beach.
The reason Estelle could support her family instead of skipping class to work two jobs.
The Freedom System had done so much for so many people.
And with active helical cases rising, it was set to go international within the decade.
And Cas – grandson of a billionaire scientist, with everything at his fingertips – had chosen to spend his afternoon eating carnival food and walking the boardwalk with me so I could have one hour (now closer to two) of fresh air.
‘You’re angry.’ He loosened his grip of my hand.
‘No!’ I tightened my hold. ‘I’m surprised, that’s all. I’m glad you didn’t tell me. I would’ve been more stubborn about covering my own bills – and buying my own bike.’
‘You? Stubborn?’
I pursed my lips.
‘It’s cute,’ he said. ‘I like it. And you.’
‘Good,’ I said, my cheeks hot. Stars, I didn’t want to like him.
‘Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t clock it right away. Grandfather and I look a lot alike.’
I almost choked on a laugh. They looked nothing alike. The only similarity was the blue eyes, but even those weren’t the same. There was an intensity to Cas’s stare I’d never seen before. Outside of that, Albert Fox was white.
‘My grandmother was Black,’ he added. ‘And my pop is Afro-Dominican.’
‘And where did you inherit the ability to charm girls on fake dates?’
‘Oh, so you think I’m charming?’
I nudged him with my shoulder, and we walked toward the glassrail stop, sipping our milkshakes – him with a giant stuffed bear tied to his back, my blowfish plush tucked neatly into the front pocket of my overalls.
Cas rubbed his thumb over mine. The driverless bus arrived, and he led me to the middle entrance, away from the line. An automated woman’s voice announced the stop – the Centaurus solisAI’s latest software upgrade. A newer glassrail meant better suspension and no potholes.
‘Thank you. You were right. I needed it.’ I pushed down my nerves.
Fake date or not, it felt real. Part of me wanted it to be – the other part desperately holding up my guard, made of sand.
Maybe it was OK to get swept away, even if nothing happened after today.
If he tried to kiss me again, I’d let him.
I should be allowed to enjoy myself for once.
Then he could go back to his world, and I’d go back to mine.
But he settled on a hug, the blowfish plush squished between us.
I mentally kicked myself. I should just go for it.
Who says girls can’t kiss the guy first?
I could reach up, cup his face, bring him to me –
‘Wait.’ He curled his fingers through the straps of my overalls. ‘I want to kiss you.’
Yes, please. My heart raced.
‘Have you decided? Are you sure?’ I teased, trying to act like every part of me wasn’t screaming. ‘You’re looking a little sweaty. Are you nervous?’ I leaned in a little closer – just close enough.
Cas pulled lightly at my chin, tipping my face toward his. He didn’t move, hovering only a breath away. I swallowed, so anxious I could barely breathe.
‘See? It’s not so nice when someone teases,’ he whispered, and I melted into the heat of him against me.
His lips were cool as they found mine, gentle and kind, asking and waiting for permission.
I answered, kissing him back. He tasted like cool strawberries and coconut cream.
My stomach fluttered with something stronger than butterflies, a crackling feeling that was addictive.
The pessimist in me wanted to blame it on my bruised ribs, but I couldn’t lie to myself.
It felt like a fairytale amid everything else that had gone wrong these past few days.
When he pulled away, I held him for one more brush of his mouth against mine. One more nice thing. He smiled through it.
‘I think I get the allure of fake dating,’ I breathed softly.
‘It does have its benefits,’ he said. ‘We should do this again sometime.’
His voice sent sparks shooting through my heart.
It was electric.