"No. He kissed me," I said. "And it was only to make Trent jealous. He was just being a good friend."
"Well, I have it on good authority that it was a hot and heavy make-everyone-in-the-bar-jealous kind of a kiss," Darla said.
"That's good, right?" I asked, hoping to steer the conversation in a better direction. "And it sounds like it worked. So, Trent is really jealous?"
"Oh, who cares about him?" Darla asked. "Tell me more about Owen! I know you've been not-so-secretly in love with him forever. Bet that kiss made it feel more than reciprocated, am I right?"
My shoulders slumped. "I have no idea. Owen never said anything afterwards."
"And what about you?"
"What do you think?"
Darla sighed. "That you melt at the thought of it and think about it all the time. I know I would."
"Oh my God, Darla. What am I going to do?"
"Answer your phone, that's for sure," she said. Darla handed me my phone.
It was Owen.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Quinn, I'm glad I caught you. Please don't tell me you have to study this weekend. There's a great tournament in Vegas. Low-key, just gathering players for the bigger events, but I want you to come with me. You'll have a really good time, I promise," Owen said.
"Whoa, wait, slow down. You want me to join you in Vegas this weekend?" I tried to grab Darla's hand, but she had already stood up. She went to my closet, pulled out my small suitcase, and started packing. "For a video game tournament?"
"Honey, who cares if he wants you to dress up as a blue alien? You're going," Darla whispered.
"I told you I think you have potential as a player. And y
ou said it yourself, you love playing. Come on, Quinn. Live a little," Owen said.
"You know I should be studying. I have hundreds of assignments to catch up on," I said.
"Come with me, Quinn. Don't make me beg. We'll have fun. Unless you're scared of a little fun?"
I stood up. "I am not scared of fun. I am fun."
"Live a little. I dare you," Owen said.
I could hear his smile, and it was infuriating at the same time as sparks sizzled in my stomach. "Fine. You're on. I'll call when I'm close."
I hung up the phone, and Darla squealed so loud I had to clap my hands over my ears. "That's my girl! Oh, Quinn, thank God! This is just what you need."
"Did that really just happen?" I asked. My phone rang again, and I was sure it was Owen calling back to tell me he'd called the wrong girl. "Oh, great, it’s my father."
"Quinn? Shouldn't you be studying?" my father asked.
"I saw it was you. I thought it might be important," I said.
"Well, it is. Your advisor has asked me to meet with her regarding your nursing program. She said she had time on Monday."
"Sorry, this weekend is shot. I've got so much to catch up on. I'll talk to her and get back to you with a better time. Gotta run!" I hung up the phone and froze in place. "I just lied to my father."
"Like I said, girl, you need this," Darla said. She handed me my suitcase and smiled.
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