Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss(63)

“That was for Lacey.”

“I’m okay,” I said.

“Are you sure you don’t want anything?” he asked around his mouthful.

My stomach was already full of nervous energy, and this new fake-happy face I was now putting on for both Donavan and his sister wasn’t helping at all. “I’m sure.”

Donavan studied my face for a moment and tilted his head as if he was going to call me out on my act, but then he sat down on the center cushion of the couch.

Kennedy popped a DVD out of its case and put it in the player.

I took in the room. There were several seating options. Obviously, a cushion on either side of Donavan, but there was also a love seat and two overstuffed chairs. I thought about taking one of the chairs, but then Donavan would think there was something wrong. He didn’t need to know I was more invested in him than he was in me.

A row of framed pictures along the mantel drew my attention, and I walked over and looked at them. They spanned several years and several locations—Disneyland, the beach, a birthday party. Most of them were of Donavan and his sister, his mom was in a couple, but it wasn’t until the last picture that I saw his dad in one. It was taken right here in this living room. Kennedy was looking up at him in admiration, Donavan wasn’t smiling, and his dad stared straight at the camera, a neutral expression. Not sure this was a picture I would frame, but maybe there weren’t many to choose from.

“It’s our family timeline,” Donavan said as I joined him on the couch.

“You two were adorable kids.”

“Are you saying we aren’t adorable anymore?” He smiled over at me and then plunked his empty plate onto the coffee table, where both of his feet now rested as well. The home version of Donavan was very relaxed. It was nice.

“I’m offended too,” Kennedy said, sitting on the other side of Donavan.

“You’re both super adorable.” I wedged myself into the corner of the couch and pulled my legs up under me. “You were just cuter two to ten years ago.”

“Didn’t I tell you she was rude?” Donavan said to Kennedy.

“No,” Kennedy said. “You actually told me she was nicer than you expected her to be.”

I gasped and backhanded Donavan across the chest.

He grabbed at his chest as if I’d hurt him.

“You should take that as a compliment,” Kennedy said. “Most people don’t get that glowing of a review.”

“So a critic of people too?” I settled more into the corner, sliding my legs out from under me so they now took up the space between me and Donavan.

He shook his head. “No ganging up on me, you two.”

“You ready for awesomeness?” Kennedy asked.

“Are we starting right with Lacey’s episodes or the beginning of the season?” Donavan asked.

“Right with Lacey’s, of course,” Kennedy said in a duh voice.

“Of course,” I agreed with a wink at him.

His brows shot down with that response for some reason. “Okay, push play.”

The theme song for the show sang out.

Donavan reached over and rested his hand on my ankle. I pretended not to feel it, even though every nerve up my leg sung. The episode started, and I kept my eyes glued to the television. Instead of moving his hand back to his lap, he kept it there.

When I came on the screen, I could feel both Donavan’s and Kennedy’s eyes shift between the television and me a couple of times, obviously curious about how I’d react. Or maybe they were just comparing the on-screen version of me to the real one. I was just trying to get through this. I was trying to sit here long enough to convince the room I was fine so that I could leave without an inquisition. Donavan’s hand, still on my ankle, wasn’t helping.

I heard a distant buzzing from the other room and I realized, with great relief, that it was my phone. “My phone is ringing,” I said, moving my feet to the floor. “It’s probably my dad.”

“Do you want me to pause it?” Kennedy asked.

“No, that’s okay. I’ve seen it before.” I gave her a smirk, and she laughed.

By the time I reached it, my phone was still again. With my phone now charged, I saw three missed calls from my dad.

I took a deep breath and called my dad back.

“Where are you?” was how he answered.

“At a friend’s.”

“Lacey, this is information you need to tell me before it happens.”

“I’m sorry, it was a last-minute decision. I’ll come home now.”

“Good.”

We hung up, and I leaned against the counter for a moment, letting myself just breathe. Then I unplugged my phone from the charger and turned. Donavan stood in the passage between the kitchen and living room.

I jumped, my hand flying to my chest. Then I laughed. “You scared me.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“Doing what?” I asked.

He took a few steps into the kitchen. “Why are you putting on an ‘everything is fine’ face?”

I kind of hated that he knew I was doing this. I thought I was a better actress than that. “Because everything is fine. I’m feeling better. I need to go.” I held up my phone. “That was my dad.” I took off the hoodie I wore, walked it to Donavan, then poked my head into the living room. “I have to go, Kennedy! It was nice to meet you.”