Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(42)

They let a minuscule misunderstanding build and build without addressing it, and before you know it, there’s a path of

destruction. It’s such an easy fix to just talk about things. In fact, sometimes it not only fixes things, it makes them even

better!”

“Girls who talk things out calmly? Where did you come from, Laney?”

“Georgia.”

“Well, Georgia is lucky to have you. Come on, you finished?”

“I am. The food was so good. Thank you, Dane.”

“Thank you for always saying thank you. I like doing things with you.”

I blush a bit at this. I like doing things with him, too. He’s so down to earth, so easy to talk to. It’s like I’ve known him a

lot longer than I have.

It’s dark when we get outside, so I suggest maybe he take me home now, I have class early. “Dane, why weren’t you ever going to

go to college?”

“Ah, back to your question, huh? OK, I’ll tell you a bit, but go easy on me, Disney. I don’t want to unveil all the cobwebs at

once, alright?”

I nod my agreement as he holds open the car door for me, guiding me in with his hand at the small of my back.

He climbs in his side and starts the car but turns to me before we move. “I had other things waiting for me, responsibilities, so

I couldn’t go to college and manage those things at the same time. I couldn’t let so many others down just to come out with a

degree I’d never have to use. Maybe one day, if things are different, I’ll go. But for right now, I made the right decision.”

“Are you happy?”

This question throws him, he looks out the windshield straight ahead and it seems he’s calming himself before he answers. “I

think you’re the first person who’s stopped and asked me that. All this time, people who’ve known me forever, you’re the only

one. The answer is...sometimes. I’m happy right now.”

“Why now?” My hands fidget nervously in my lap and I chew my lip, perhaps I’m digging too deep.

“Because I’m with you; I’ve been with you all day. The way you talk to me so openly, you make me feel alive, seen. I know you

see me.”

We pull up to my dorm but the last thing I want to do is get out. He turns in his seat to face me, his eyes drifting to my lips and

back, unashamed. Dane’s talking and I’m like a sponge, but I really do need to get inside and to bed. “You coming up to their

room? We can walk up.”

“Not tonight, I have to go home. But I’ll walk you to the door.”

When we get there, he stops and grazes my face with his fingertips. I think he may want to kiss me, but I’m not going to let that

to happen. It’s way too soon for me. But he doesn’t, he just takes me all in, stroking my cheek.

“See me tomorrow,” he says. “I’ll let you plan it.”

I laugh. “You make wonderful plans. Stop, we covered that. But I have ball until six tomorrow, then probably homework. Why don’t

you text or call me and we’ll see?”

“I can do that. Thank you for today, Disney.”

“You too, Dane, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I walk inside, giving him a small wave.



In my room, Bennett and Tate are draped across her bed watching a movie. I hate to interrupt, but I really need to get some rest.

“Hey guys, sorry. I’ll be asleep and out of your hair in just a minute.”

“Laney, where were you all day?” Bennett asks me, slightly muffled as her face is buried in Tate’s chest. God, I bet that feels

nice; being held.

“Ya, Laney, where ya been?” Tate smirks.

“I was with a new friend, let me show you.” I take the print Dane had made for me out of the envelope and hand it to Bennett,

nervous of her reaction.

“Oh my God, Laney, you look gorgeous! You could model, seriously.”

Tate looks over and smiles. “He took you to the studio, huh? You like it?”

The implication in Tate’s question suddenly makes me feel foolish, as though Dane takes all his “projects” there and perhaps all

of his lines about how special I am are a crock. Is this his MO and I moronically allowed myself to feel enchanted? God, I must’ve

looked like an idiot, modeling like some starry-eyed bimbo.

I’d call and ask him, but they’re in the room and they’d hear me; further humiliation. And Dane doesn’t really owe me an

explanation. He’s not my boyfriend; hell, that wasn’t even a date. If I knew him better, I’d have a better grasp on this, on his

intentions; but I don’t. I don’t know anyone here really. How did this wonderful day go wrong in seconds? Hadn’t he just

remarked how refreshing it was that I’m a girl who talks things out calmly? And yes, usually I am...but right now, I’m

irrational. I knew better than to let my guard down, damnit!

“Laney, you okay over there?” Bennett asks. “You can watch the movie with us.”

“No, I’m good, just tired. Don’t mind me.” Bennett’s a good roommate, she’s neat and chips in, doesn’t uber get in my way,