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Chapter 15

Nate

Usually a really hard workout helps , but not this ti froh my fist I don’t knohy I care so much and so fast, but I do

When Rowe said she didn’t think I’d ever meet her parents, it was like an e statenificant

I’s in coled with the rest of the shit going on in his heart and his head I tried being that guy for a few months, and it sucked I felt like an assle I was an assle My tour through the world of assle-ness was brief--nope, not forhis arm out for me to button the cuffs on his shirt We always dress up for Sunday dinner with my parents My mom always insisted on it ere kids and at home, and it just sort of beca out

"Don’t know, don’t care," I say, not liftingon the button in front of me There’s a soft knock on the door behind me, and her voice soon follows

"Okay to co the corner of ainstforward "Rowe, I know this probably isn’t appropriate, but dale pushes my lips up the rest of the way I haven’t turned to see her yet, and part ofit will do me in completely I finish the last few buttons on my own shirt, a plain white fitted one that I leave un-tucked, and then turn to see if irl steals your heart Rowe’s hair is down in waves, the front swept to the side with a tiny braid holding it in place Everything about her face is si black dress with black flat sandals that somehow still make her look like she’s six-foot-seven thanks to the slit along the side of her leg showing off what is quickly beco closer to her without even realizing it, and when I reach her, I touch the tips of ers to her chin and turn her face so I can kiss her cheek "May I?"

She only nods; her eyes looking away and her shynessher face burn red I tuck her hair behind her ear, lettingher shoulder, co her neck When ed with a need to kiss her ave ht," I smile "You look hot"

"Well, you’re just used to the ideal woman because of your new Barbie obsession You’re just projecting," she jokes, and I can tell it’s because she’s uncomfortable with the attention

"Yeah, well, you can turn her head completely around on her body, so that’s kinda hard to top," I say, trying to set her at ease again

"Oh, mine does that too," she winks Yeah, heart…stolen

My parents meet us at the only semi-nice restaurant near campus My mom says it’s not a fancy dinner unless the place serves you bread before you eat, so she always insists on places like this It’s a steakhouse called Morgan’s, and I’ up the bill

"Rowe, Cass, so glad you both could join us," irls I pull out Rowe’s seat next toat the side of her dress

"So, Cass Ty tells us you’re studying physical education? Do you hope to teach?" hten evenfor the question to come to her next, and she’s worried because she doesn’t have an answer We’re also sitting in thefros Without even thinking, I slide ers She startles at first, and I give her the tiniest shrug, hoping she’ll use ht Her hand htly

"I’d like to get into rehab work," Cass finishes explaining I watch aswith her approval Ty rolls his eyes, but I know he likes Cass a lot