Chapter Eighteen

Faith

He asked me out. He asked me out? Faith couldn’t decide if it was a statement or a question. It sure seemed like he asked her out, discussing curfew and a surprise, but should she assume that?

Because she sure wanted to.

Kyle, who had a habit of being frustrating as hell, seemed genuinely interested in her, not just as a girl or an assignment, but as a person. A few hours ago she wouldn’t have thought that, but things had become a lot clearer after he asked her out (did he?). She didn’t know how she knew, but the way he looked at her mattered. Cameron’s gaze had always been predatory, possessive. Kyle’s was surprisingly shy, but also like he wanted to understand what made her tick. It made her feel…things she probably shouldn’t be feeling if she wasn’t sure if his surprise was a date or not.

God, why did this guy have her so confused? She barely knew him.

In fact, she wasn’t sure she knew him at all. This whole day did nothing but contradict everything she’d ever heard about him. She knew he wore black T-shirts and hoodies with the hood up and earbuds in to school, but what about the rest of it? The smoking? She was sure that was a rumor someone made up for no reason, but why would he let that rumor linger? She’d quash it in a second if someone said that about her.

Except…wasn’t she was doing the same thing to get back at Cameron? Yeah, maybe she didn’t have the right to question anything.

Her stomach had been in knots since Kyle left, and she couldn’t stand the tug anymore. She picked up her phone and dialed Vi, blurting out, “I think Kyle asked me out,” before Vi could say anything.

There was a long pause. “Hmm. Interesting. Did you say yes?”

“Well, yeah. I was so shocked by the whole thing, I just kind of nodded like a doofus before I could really think it over.”

“I’m proud of you. Getting back on the horse so soon.” Vi’s laugh was wicked. “Or on something else. Kyle looks like he’d be nice to straddle.”

Faith flushed all over, trying to block the image from stamping itself across her brain. Losing battle, that. “Vi!”

“Oh, come on. What if the best revenge isn’t just a rumor? I like Kyle for you. Every girl should have one bad boy in her life.”

“That’s just it. I’m not sure he really is bad. I mean, the whole smoking rumor? I haven’t seen him smoke once while he’s been working over here. And I don’t smell cigarettes on his clothes or in his car.”

“Maybe he quit?”

“Or maybe he never started.” Faith sighed. “He’s a puzzle.”

“That makes it even better. Hot body, sexy car, mysterious past—what more could you want in a guy?”

Answers. “Guess I’ll find out.”

Once Vi told her exactly what to wear, she ended the call and went downstairs. A pot of chicken chili bubbled on the stove, filling the kitchen with the scent of chipotle. Her knotted stomach relaxed, letting out a small growl. Her mom’s cooking had that effect on even the most stubborn butterflies.

She gave the chili a stir. Where was everyone? “Mom?”

“Out here!”

She rounded the corner to the screened-in porch. Mom was sitting in her favorite chair, a mug of coffee in hand, staring out at the backyard. “He really does beautiful work, doesn’t he?”

Faith turned and drew in a sharp breath. Working with Kyle, she’d only really looked at the details—plant this flat of flowers here, arrange this ground cover there. But now she saw the whole backyard. Sure, it wasn’t done: dirt mounds lined the back of the fence and the grass was still patchy, turning brown where he’d sprayed it with something to make it easier to pull up. The parts he’d finished, though, were perfect. The little flower garden on the right side of the yard, setting off the new bushes, added color against the fence. And the little copse of azaleas was a riot of pinks, reds, and whites. There was even an antique metal garden table and chair she didn’t recognize. She had no idea where they came from, but they added a little touch of old-style romance to the flower side of the fence.

She covered her mouth with her hand. It was gorgeous. “When we bought all those plants this morning, I had no idea it would look like this. He’s really good.”

Mom gave her a sly look. “Yes, he is. And we’re robbing the kid blind. He’s charging me half of what a landscaping company would.” She chuckled. “I’ll have to make sure to throw in a good bonus.”

“I think he’d like that, but it’s more that he enjoys the work.” Faith settled on the old sofa next to Mom. It was almost unreal how good Kyle’s eye was for color and design. “He really loves it.”

Mom shot her a sidelong glance. “You sure seem to know him well for having just met him. Anything I need to know about?”

Faith dropped her gaze to her hands. A little dirt was still stuck under one of her nails. “He, uh, kind of asked me out today.”

“Did he now?” Faith could hear the smile in Mom’s tone. “Well, he seems like a good kid. If I can trust him with my backyard, I suppose I can trust him to take my daughter out.” She paused. “Or did you say no?”

If Mom only knew what they said about him at school, she wouldn’t be so okay with it. But Faith decided she was. “I said yes. We’ll go out tomorrow after he’s done for the day.”

“Good.”

She hoped. Maybe she’d get more out of this bargain with Kyle than she’d imagined.

The next morning, Faith went to the studio to practice for the big dance scenes in the musical. Full cast rehearsal started next week, and she wanted to be the most prepared member there. For all her confidence once she had an audience, it was hard to be “on” during rehearsals. She second-guessed every step, every note. The dream sequence would be the most difficult piece. She hoped Josh, the guy playing Jud, was practicing, too. He had to lift her three times, and they hadn’t danced together yet.

And it was a good excuse to avoid Kyle. For some reason, now that they were going on a date, being home while he was there made her feel self-conscious. Stupid—it was her house, after all—but the thought of watching him work sent a wave of nerves down her spine to prickle against the back of her knees. She worried about being attracted to him, not wanting to date another guy who saw her as disposable. Somehow, though, she was having a hard time believing that. Not with the way he looked at her. Either he was better at seducing girls than she thought, or she was special.

Wouldn’t that be something…wonderful?

“I’m going out for lunch, dear,” Madame called from the doorway to the small studio. Even at forty, she was still elegant and lean in the leotard she’d covered with a long flowing skirt and open button-down shirt. “You interested in picking up a preschool ballet lesson at two?”

“Sure.” Faith whirled around, trying to ignore the ache in her toes from standing en pointe.

“Any word from NYU?”

She paused in her routine and shook her head. Her pulse tripped in her veins. “They said they’d send out final responses sometime next week. I’m a little scared.”

Madame walked into the room and took her hands. “I watched you record that audition video. You’re good enough, honey. And if they pass, their loss…but I doubt they’ll pass.”

Anxiety flared in Faith’s stomach. She’d worked so hard for this chance. It was her dream, her future, on the line. “I hope not.”

Madame released her hands. “Don’t worry. Good things are coming for you. I have a feeling.”

She left the studio, but Faith stood frozen for a minute. Good things. Last weekend had been horrible, but maybe the rest of the week would fix all that, and in the end, she’d have her acceptance letter, too. Squaring her shoulders, Faith went to the stereo and put on the track for the hoedown scene.