Chapter 53

He looked surprised, and then satisfied, knowing that he’d pressed the right button.

I had fallen right into it: the way he looked at me made me feel not superior, as I had planned, but borderline vulnerable and sexy, and in trouble, all at the same time. I put the light in my pocket. Soon after, the group of boys was gone.

We ran into the tall one after the show, standing outside the theater. He saw us and started walking toward us, calling out, “Hey, you stole my laser! Give it back!”

I laughed at him, noticing his build and eyes and teeth again. “You just don’t give up, do you? It’s mine now. I took it away for your own good.”

His eyes softened. “Listen, I’m sorry my friends and I pissed you off. Let me buy you a drink to make it up to you. I promise to behave. I’m Nick.” He stuck out his hand. I took it before I even realized I was doing it, let the surprisingly warm, surprisingly elegant hand envelop my own, and introduced myself. “Colette. And you can b