tummy.
“Of course I do, sweet Bea. I have a good memory.”
My forehead crumples. “Sweet Bea?”
He shrugs like his nickname is no big deal. “You just seem…sweet.” His answer makes me smile, and a warm blush covers my neck and cheeks. I dart my gaze away from his bashfully.
C’mon, Bea. Keep it together. Keep. It. Together. I chant internally.
Inhaling deep, calming breaths, I slowly lift my eyes back up to his and pause when I see the smirk on his face.
He really is beautiful.
Long seconds tick by as we stare at each other in complete silence. It’s not an uncomfortable silence, it’s…different. It’s more. I can feel frissons of energy—aesthetic chills—rolling through my body as I stare into stormy blue eyes. It cackles in the very air around us, making me completely breathless.
Just as I’m about to say something, Myrah comes through the door with a frown on her face.
“Your mom keeps calling, Bea. I think you have to go home.” She frowns and so do I.
Damnit. I bet it’s not even ten o’clock yet.
“Keep me up to date on life with your new weirdo brother.” She jokes, and I scowl at her for making my situation a joke.
“Bye Myrah, see you tomorrow.” I turn my attention to Liam and swallow thickly.
“Goodnight, Liam.”
The corner of his mouth quirks. “Goodnight, sweet Bea.”
I walk inside of my house with a smile on my face. I don’t know what it is about Liam, but he makes me turn into a pile of mush.
Is this how all girls are supposed to feel around boys? Maybe I am normal after all. Who would’ve thought?
For a while, I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me because I wasn’t interested in any boys at school. It seemed like every other girl at school was infatuated with one of the boys, but not me. All I cared about was my friends and learning more about the stars and the planets. I have a strange fascination with outer space and astrology. When I was younger, I had the inane hope that one day I’d become an astronaut or maybe even a scientist that discovers a planet we can inhabit instead of earth. I know it was a little far-fetched that it could ever happen, but in all honesty, I’m happiest when I’m learning something new about our universe and the surrounding planets. The way the positions of astronomical objects can be interpreted as having an influence on us humans and our natural world. I love getting lost in the stories and the myths behind the constellations and stars. It’s all so beautiful.
It started when I was kid. Mom and I were in Los Angeles on a mother-daughter road trip. We stopped for a quick bite to eat at a little café just outside of UCLA, and that was when I found the textbook that was left on one of tables outside. I should’ve had my mom bring it in to the owner of the café, hoping to find out who it belonged to, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was selfish, but I wanted to know what was in it.
Why was it so heavy, and so big?
The bright stars and the colorful planets on the cover intrigued me enough to hang onto the astrology textbook for dear life. That’s where it all started. I’ve read that entire textbook from cover to cover, sucking up any information that was readily available. Now the poor thing is nothing but frayed edges and a torn spine.
Walking through the front door, there’s no sign of anyone still up, so I head straight to my room, getting ready for bed. After flossing and brushing, I strip out of my clothes into my favorite pair of satin striped pajamas—Myrah and I have the same set we bought from the discount rack at Dillard’s. Just as I’m pulling my shirt over my head someone turns the doorknob on my door.
What the hell?
Connor pokes his head around the door and doesn’t even seem apologetic for not knocking. I stare at him with wide unbelieving eyes. Did he really just pop into my bedroom without knocking? What the heck?
I shift on my feet, unsure of what he wants. We’ve yet to have a conversation just between the two of us. We’ve never even spent more than two seconds alone with each other.
I anxiously fiddle with the hem of my shirt—a nervous tick—when he lets himself into my room. Thankfully he doesn’t close