In Between the Lines

Chapter 10: Poorly Injected Lips

We sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds for a while being the occasional clanks of utensils against plates, layered by the soft but steady buzz of conversation around us. More people had come in for the dinner rush sometime in the midst of our talk. Most of the diner had filled out, but I'd hardly taken notice until Dez and I were left staring at one another—unsure of what to say next.

So we ate.

After we finished, Dez insisted on paying since it had been his idea to come, but I'd already beaten him to it, slyly handing our waiter my card when Dez had gone to the bathroom. I wasn't going to let him pay, not after everything he'd already done for me, so when he asked for the check, all he got in response was a laugh as the server's eyes fell to my side of the table.

It only took Dez half a second to piece it together.

He frowned. "You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to," I said. I could already see the protest forming on his lips, so I added firmly, "You have done more than enough for me already, Desmond. The least I could do is pay for your burger." 

Dez blinked.

And then he lifted a brow, his mouth tugging up at the corners as he said, "Desmond?"

I rolled my eyes, even as I fought back a smile.

It was only when I looked back up at Dez that a different realization struck.

"You acted like you had no idea who I was at the bookstore." I gaped at him, remembering his exact words. I've seen you around a few times. "When you asked if I went to Lincoln Valley High—that was all bull, wasn't it?"

Dez's answering grin was nothing short of smug—and annoyingly charming. "I didn't realize you were even wearing a name-tag until you turned around after I said your name. You don't understand how relieved I was to see it. Otherwise, I would have had to come up with some stupid excuse as to how I already knew it."

"But I don't understand. Why act like you didn't know me?"

"The truth?"

"No, Dez," I said sweetly. "Lie to me."

His chuckle was low and deep. "You're going to think this is stupid, but to be honest, I've always thought you were pretty intimidating."

He paused before adding, "I still do."

Intimidating? I didn't bother to hide the confused shock on my face.

Dez shrugged, and I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me. "Mr. Popular intimidated by the new girl—who would have thought?"

"Don't tell anyone." He winked. "It could ruin his reputation, you know."

"Of course. We wouldn't want people to know that he's actually a big baby."

"Exactly."

I shook my head as the both of us broke out into soft laughter. And while Dez and I sat there, smiling at one another as if we hadn't just put each other through hell, a new sort of warmth began to settle in my chest. I realized I could get used to it—laughing with him.

And I didn't know what that meant.

So I looked away from him as I threw on my jacket and texted Lukas saying I'd be outside soon. I'd come to dinner to hear Dez out, and I was glad that I did, but whatever it was I felt stirring in my gut now—

"Lyra?" I looked up to find Dez's expression serious. He said quietly, "Does this mean you forgive me?"

I studied him for a moment—the unease shadowing the fine gold tones in his eyes, the slight dip to his full lips, speaking loudly of his lingering remorse without uttering a single word. And then I answered, "No."