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grass.

    “And the other two?” I asked hesitantly. He seemed almost reluctant to share.

    He sighed. “My baby sister died just before she turned sixteen.”

    After a quick intake of breath, I quietly added, “I’m so sorry.” I wanted to ask how, but I could tell it was too painful for him.

    “I have a twin, but we don’t get along.” You have got to be kidding me! There are two of them!

    He pulled himself together quickly. “So, what about you? Do you have any siblings?” His smile was back, but I could hear the sadness lingering in his voice.

    “Nope. It’s just me and my aunt.”

    “What happened to your parents, if you don’t mind me asking?”

    Ask away; ask anything you want, as long as you stay here and keep talking to me. “My mom died just after I turned two. It will be seventeen years this November. My aunt isn’t sure what happened to my dad. She thinks that losing my mom was too hard for him.”

    “It’s hard to keep going when you lose a loved one.”

    “I imagine it would be,” I said thoughtfully. “What about you? Are your parents in Reno?”

    “No, they passed away a few years ago.”

    We sat there quietly for a few minutes. “So…our conversation has taken a morbid turn.”

    He snickered.

    I grasped for a change of subject. “How about this weather?” Seriously, Laney? You’re a dork ! I mentally kicked myself.

    Another snicker. “It’s actually a little bright for me,” he said, tapping the frame of his dark sunglasses with his index finger. “Our break is over. We should head to class,” he added, gathering his things and standing. He offered his hand to help me up. I gathered my stuff as quickly as possible and took it. His hand was cool and his touch caused shivers to rush through me—good shivers. We let go as soon as I was on my feet and exchanged awkward smiles. Then I headed for class with Oliver by my side.

    Believe it or not, we had all of our classes together. I had no idea how that had happened, but I could have kissed the scheduling person. We had two more classes and he sat by me in both of them. The rest of the day went a lot like the first part, except I was starting to get more and more comfortable around him. Don’t get me wrong; my heart was still fluttering and skipping beats here and there. I was blushing so often I was starting to think my cheeks might be permanently stained bright pink and butterflies were having a serious party in my tummy. To top it off, I had very little idea what had happened in any of my classes due to all the Oliver-gazing.

    He walked with me to the parking lot. His car was just a few spaces away from mine. “See you later.” He smiled and began walking away. I gave him a little wave and a smile as I watched him go; then I headed to my car.

    He arrived in the apartment parking area just after I did and he caught up with me just before I reached the steps.

    “Fancy meeting you here,” he grinned, gesturing for me to go first. He walked beside me on the steps up to my apartment, which was on the second floor. I stopped in front of my door and faced him. He stopped, too.

    “Well, I guess I’ll see you later.” He waved awkwardly then shoved both hands into his pockets as he walked away toward his apartment. It was behind ours but one over and, according to Kiera, their door was visible from her bedroom window.

    I watched him go.

    Kiera was sitting in the middle of the couch, cross-legged, with a textbook in her lap and a couple more sitting beside her. She had the coffee table pulled close to her with the rest of her books and folders stacked on it just within her reach. “What are you smiling about?” she asked as I entered the apartment.

    As I sat down beside her I told her all about my day—okay, I told her all about Oliver in my day. She listened, taking in every word. I felt delirious with happiness and slumped back onto the couch, smiling from ear to ear.

    “That’s so awesome, Laney.” She