Page 16 of See You in Your Dreams

“Why bother?” he mutters. “You’ll just counter them.”

I laugh again, and I swear he wears a slight smirk before he quickly conceals it. It’s like a ray of sunlight breaking through on a cloudy day. I glance outside. Or perhaps a bolt of lightning, sizzling the air around it with a flash of momentary brilliance.

“Soo,” I say, drawing out the word. “What’s it going to be?”

He lets out a beleaguered sigh. “Oh, for God’s sake, fine! I’ll keep the damn cat for now and see what my aunt says. But I still think it’s a bad idea.”

“AndIthink you’re not giving yourself enough credit.”

He squints at me. Even across the waiting room, I shift beneath his sudden intense scrutiny. “You barely know me, and the one time we talked, I was a jerk. How can you possibly be so sure I won’t be the worst thing that’s ever happened to this cat?”

I meet his emerald gaze, holding it for a long moment. “Because I’ve seen enough to tell that, no matter the tough guy act you put on, you’re a good person, Ash.”

Something like pain and sorrow and regret all rolled up in one flickers across his face. Before I can even begin to process the complex flurry of emotion, he’s spinning toward the door leading outside into the storm.

“Whatever. See you around.”

I watch him go, a slight grin tugging at my lips when I notice the way he huddles around the bundled-up kitten to shield it from the whipping wind and rain. I stand by my assessment—beneath all his bravado, he’s a good guy. I’d already had to fight the urge to approach him again. Now, the temptation is stronger than ever.

Whatever’s up with you, Ash Ellington, whatever inner pain you’re hiding, I’ll figure it out…and I’ll find a way to make it all better.

seven

Ash

“Hey, how’s it going?”Dylan says, sliding into the open seat next to me.

I blink out of the general fugue state I adopt for most of my classes and stare at him.

Along with AP Chemistry, AP Economics is one of two classes I share with Dylan this semester, which explains his presence here. What it doesn’t explain, however, is why the hell he’shere, sitting right next to me and trying to strike up a conversation.

I pointedly turn away, focusing on the whiteboard at the front of the class where Ms. Pederson is painstakingly copying out notes on fiscal policy before class starts.

“You can’t just ignore me all period,” he says, sounding amused.

“Watch me,” I mutter, still staring straight ahead.

“I’m serious. I can be annoyingly persistent. Just ask any of my teachers. ‘Dylan may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but he refuses to give up even when he probably should.’”

I bite back a startled chuckle, sneaking a glance at him from the corner of my eye before I can stop myself. “Did someone really say that about you?”

He grins wryly. “Well…no. At least, not to my face. But that doesn’t mean they’re not thinking it. Perseverance is my superpower. What about you?”

“Huh?” I ask, my pulse quickening.

“Your superpower,” Dylan repeats patiently. “Come on, everyone’s gotsomethingthey’re best at. For me, it’s dedication. I can throw myself at a problem over and over until I solve it. Who needs actual intelligence when you can rely on sheer stubbornness?”

He says it with a grin, clearly intending it as a joke, but I frown. “That’s not funny.”

His grin fades as he fixes me with a curious look. “What do you mean?”

I turn more fully to face him, abandoning any pretense of ignoring him. “You shouldn’t put yourself down like that. I saw you at that vet’s office. The doctor there seemed to respect you, and I doubt he would’ve hired an idiot.”

Dylan shrugs, looking uncomfortable. “Hiredis a strong word. I’m pretty much a glorified volunteer.”

I wave a hand. “Whatever. My point is, you’ve gotta be smart if you work at a place like that and are taking AP classes. Give yourself a bit more credit.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You mean like you did last Friday at the vet? ‘I can’t possibly take care of a mostly self-reliant cat on my own. Oh, woe is me!’”