You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(49)

You better not fall for it



Maybe but I really don’t think it’s like that. He gave me BOTH tickets and said I should take someone else



Hmm. I guess that’s nice of him



But I would still be careful



Relax. I don’t plan on going



Unless you think I should?



I suppose it would be a waste…



You could invite Ben



I glance at the tickets again. If only that was a possibility.

I don’t think he’ll make it in time



That’s too bad



You could always go alone. At least to the dinner portion anyway. Isn’t a ticket like two hundred dollars?



I consider this for a moment. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea. I could stay for dinner and leave before the actual dance. After all, there’s no need to waste both tickets. I should probably run this by Ben first. I know he already said I should go. But it feels wrong to do this without telling him, so I send him a message.

Got a hold of a ticket to the dance I mentioned!



I might stop by for a little. Food is supposed to be good



Thoughts?



I wait anxiously for his response. But not for long.

That sounds like fun



Glad you decided to go



Really wish you could come too



I’m not planning to go with anyone



Will probably leave right after dinner



I wish I could be there



It would have been fun to dance together



I close my eyes and try to imagine it. The two of us dressed in suit jackets, surrounded by flowers that decorate the reception hall.

I know



Hopefully another time



I’m planning to see my parents for dinner tonight



Maybe I can drive over afterwards



For dessert



Ice cream or something?



I smile at this.

That sounds great



Perf



I’ll text you before I leave



It’s sad that we can’t dance together. At least I get to see him later tonight. Maybe I should have mentioned that Nolan gave me the tickets, but it’s not like I’d be going with him. I’m sure he won’t even be there at all. I’ll just go enjoy the dinner and hang out with Ben afterwards. I check the time on my phone. The event doesn’t start for a few hours. That gives me plenty of time to get ready.

There’s a dress code on the back of the ticket. I’ll have to stop by the apartment to grab a change of clothes. As I’m walking through the quad, I notice a line of tents have been set up on the grass. Looks like a club fair is taking place. I’ve been meaning to sign up for something to do after class. Especially knowing how active Ben is on campus. I glance around at the different tables. There’s an astronomy club here that could be fun to join. I could impress Ben with some facts I learn.

I walk up to grab a flyer and key chain. A girl smiles behind the table and says, “Hey, I’m Kat! Our club meets every other Tuesday if you’re interested in joining. We’re actually having a stargazing event next week. Everyone’s welcome to come.”

“Oh, really?”

“And it’s gonna be a really cool one,” she says, smiling. “It’s the last chance to see Roy’s Comet before it’s gone for the next twenty-nine years. We’re expecting a big meteor shower that follows it, too. Bring some of your friends if you’d like!”

“Oh, um…I don’t really have any friends. But can I have this sticker?”

“Sure.”

I’ve never heard of Roy’s Comet before. I wonder if Ben knows about it. I write my name down and check out some of the other tents. Then I head home to grab some things to change into.



* * *





The Pindar dinner takes place at Barge Hall. I can hear the music through the open windows. I adjust my tie one more time and make my way inside. Satin-covered tables with floral arrangements fill the room. Maybe I should have gotten here earlier; most of the seats have already been taken. Thankfully, I find a table with two open chairs. I take a seat and scan the rest of the room. I had started to wonder if Nolan might show up to surprise me, but I don’t see him or his friends anywhere. I guess these really were the only tickets he had.

Everyone looks like they’re dressed for a wedding. A man comes by and fills our water glasses. Then he points to the empty seat, asking if someone is sitting next to me.

“I don’t think so,” I say.

He nods and clears the table setting. I probably should have just lied. Now everyone here knows I’ve come dateless. I’m not old enough to be served wine, so they give me some sparkling cider. At least the bread is warm. I smile politely at the couple sitting to my left. They’re clearly on a date, so I don’t bother starting a conversation. As I’m sipping my drink, someone taps my shoulder.

“Do you mind if I sit here?”

A guy with brown curls stands beside me.