"Do it now," Avery whispered in Madison's ear.

A mass of curls fell into her eyes when she shook her head back and forth. "I can't. He's with all his friends."

"So? You've already met them at the burger joint. Stop chickening out. Just go up and do it before lunch ends."

Covertly, Madison looked over shoulder while pretending to push a lock of hair behind her ear. Carson was sitting by a table with all of his friends. He looked like he was in the middle of telling a story. His arms and hands animated as he talked, the table hanging on every word.

"I don't want to interrupt. I can talk to him about the article during class."

"But that girl is with him," Avery pointed out. Madison scowled at Lauren who was sitting next to Carson. Every few minutes she would shift her body so their arms or other parts of their body would brush.

"Look at her, she's practically panting. This is the perfect opportunity to mark your territory before someone else does."

"What am I—a dog?"

"No, you're a girl asserting her dominance."

"Isn't that the same thing?" Garrett asked.

The girls at the table turned in unison and shot him an angry glare. He held up his hands in surrender. "I mean there is no similarity whatsoever. It's the farthest thing from the truth."

"Smooth, Garrett, smooth," Wyatt drawled.

"I wouldn't be the one pointing fingers. At least I have the balls to kiss a girl."

An awkward silence descended as everyone looked everywhere but Avery and Wyatt. Madison took the chance to peek at Carson again and felt her stomach drop. Lauren's hand rested high on his arm. It wasn't a light touch either. No, her hand was curled around his bicep. Her nails sank in like she refused to let go. Carson looked down at her as she said something. He responded and it must have been amusing because she tilted her head back and let out a long laugh. The melodic sound wrapped around the two of them, cocooning them in private bubble.

Jealousy coursed through her blood. She had no right to feel that way; especially after telling Carson she wasn't positive she could give him what he wanted, but seeing the cozy scene made her seethe. After all, hadn't he made her promise to give them a chance? That he wanted to explore the possibility together?

Lauren playfully slapped his chest and then took a French fry off his plate. She made a big deal of eating it, taunting Carson, who in turn, stole a chip off of hers. Madison saw red. Before she knew it, she was standing up, her hands clenched at her sides. 

Garrett grabbed her arm before she could move. "You might want to contain that before you head over. You want him to like you, not think you're budding psychopath."

"That's a little harsh. You don't look like a psychopath," Kelly assured her.

"Thank y—"

"You're more like an enraged, crazy ex-girlfriend."

"And that's so much better?" Madison grumbled.

"No," Kelly and Wyatt cheekily stated.   

"Wipe the scowl off your face and you're good to go," Avery told her. Madison gritted her teeth and forced a smile. Avery and Kelly winced while Wyatt snorted and Garrett put a hand on his mouth to cover a laugh. 

"Now you appear to be in desperate need of some laxatives. Ease up, you're not forcing a bowel movement."

"Kelly!" Garrett rebuked.

His sister blinked several times behind the square glasses. "What?" she asked, clueless to the reason behind his censure. "I'm trying to help her."

His mouth silently moved as he looked up, praying for patience. Kelly glowered and the two of them started bickering. Knowing this could go on forever, Madison interrupted.

"Look, I don't need your help. I can get a guy all on my own." When they didn't look convinced, she added quite proudly, "In fact, at my school I was considered a flirting machine."

They all laughed, even Avery—that traitor! Madison crossed her arms. "I don't understand why you're all amused."

"Because you're hilarious," Avery said, wiping a tear from her eye.

"But I didn't say anything funny."

Her comment only made them laugh even harder. Their merriment was starting to garner attention from nearby tables. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Carson take notice. He cast them a passing glance, then did a double take when he saw her. He waved and she gave him a small wave back. It was so cheesy, but it made her grin. His dimples popped out as he returned the gesture.  

The two of them grinning like fools reminded her of her embarrassing confession. Sexy smell indeed. His smile deepened as if he knew what she was thinking. Cheeks flushed, she pursed her lips and tried to appear stern and disapproving. 

He gave her a small, but firm shake of the head. Her reprimand didn't fool him. Then he motioned to her friends with a tiny nod and narrowed his eyes in question. She shrugged and made a big deal of rolling her eyes in exasperation. His chin lifted in understanding.

She felt everyone's eyes upon them, scrutinizing the looks passed between each other, but she didn't care. In fact, she welcomed the looks. It meant people were witnessing their connection. They sensed the invisible thread linking the two of them together. The thought sent a bolt of pleasure down her spine.

Carson swallowed and appeared hesitant before lifting his eyebrows and gesturing to the hallway to his left. Heart thudding, Madison pointed at herself and he nodded. She looked over to the area and thought about it before shaking her head yes. The anticipation on his face mirrored hers and she quickly moved to gather her things. As she packed away her lunch, she noticed the table had gone silent.

"What?" she asked, surprised by the disbelief in their faces.

"You—You..." Garrett sputtered, pointing a finger at her.

She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Told you I knew how to flirt."

"Well I'll be damned," Wyatt muttered. "This is the best news I've heard so far."

Surprised by his comment, Madison said, "I thought you wouldn't want me consorting with him outside working on the article."

"Are you kidding? Now we don't have to worry about him. He likes you. No way would he tell anyone even if he did find out."

She didn't share Wyatt's confidence. Carson was the sort of boy who always did the right thing. His sense of honor wouldn't permit him to make allowances for anyone, not even the girl he likes. Her stomach twisted at the thought of him finding out. He would hate her. She pushed back her worries and promised herself she would do everything in her power to conceal the truth from him. He would never look at her with revulsion.

Madison's mood plummeted when she saw Carson slip out of his seat and Lauren start to follow. He signaled for her to sit but she continued to rise. She said something and he nodded. Then picked up her trash along with his and throw it in the garbage.

"Hey," he greeted as she drew near. "Hope your friends aren't mad I took you away."

"I can honestly say they're thrilled." Her spine stiffened as Lauren sidled up next to Carson. Her arm inches away from his. Lauren threw her a pleasant smile, no malice in her eyes or face, which confused her. She didn't understand this girl.

"I hope you don't mind me tagging along," Lauren said.

"She needs to go to her locker and we're going in that direction anyway," Carson explained.

 "We are?" Madison asked. Secretly, she got a thrill at being called a "we."

He sent her a mysterious smile. "I have something to show you."

The three of them walked across the quad and down a main hallway. Carson stood in the middle with both girls flanking his sides. At times he would invade her space, casually brushing the back of his hand against hers, and then move back to a respectable distance. He did it every so often, making it seem like an accident, but the smirk on his face said otherwise. Her skin tingled at the contact. Each time, his hand lingered around hers longer and longer. She was tempted to turn her palm slightly so he could easily grab it if he wanted, but didn't want to appear too eager.

As they walked, Madison didn't say much. One, she was too busy concentrating on Carson's cat-and-mouse hand game and two, Lauren didn't allow anyone a word in edgewise. She kept jabbering on and on about their next cross-country meet.

"Have you ever been to one?" she asked, directing the question at Madison.

"Can't say that I have."

"That's too bad. Although, it's probably a good thing. You'd be bored out of your mind since you don't run. Isn't that right, Carson?"

"It can be boring at times, but it can also be fun." He took a step closer and nudged Madison's shoulder with his. "Especially when you're cheering on your favorite runner."

She sent him a cheeky smile. "I didn't know you were in favor of me cheering for Seth, but since you are...."

His body jerked. "Hey! I'm your favorite."

"I've never seen you run," she pointed out.

His eyes narrowed playfully. "But you've seen Seth?" She kept a straight face and looked forward as she shrugged, refusing to answer. "That's it! You're coming to the next meet. As editor-in-chief I command you to attend."

She sent him an impertinent look. "Nice try, but no such luck."

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "If you come, I'll let you see more of my adorable dimples."

She reached up and poked the spot where they hid. "Sorry, but it's your charm that holds the allure."

"Good thing I have that in spades then."

She turned her head so their lips were only inches apart. She heard his breath hitch and resisted the urge to pump her fists in the air. He was as affected by her as she was by him. She moved closer and was about to whisper a teasing remark in his ear when Lauren spoke.

"Are you ready for Homecoming, Madison?"

Carson abruptly pulled away but not before sending her a look promising retribution. Madison couldn't wait. She loved this new game they played. He wasn't one of those guys who did it haphazardly either. He put his all into it just like he did everything else. Every word, every action, every look was meant to tease and tantalize. And although he pushed the limits, he never went beyond what she was comfortable with. That alone, made her fall for him even more.

"I guess I am," she replied.

Lauren sped up and stuck her neck out so she could see Madison. "You're not excited to go? It's your first dance at Edgewood. I thought you'd be all about it."

"Not really."

"Oh?" Lauren clearly waited for her to expand on her answer, but she didn't oblige. "Well, maybe the dances at you're old school weren't anything to write about, but the ones here are amazing. They go all out for Homecoming. Remember last years, Carson?"

Madison was starting to get real sick of her referring to Carson all the time. From the way she was talking, it sounded like the two of them were attached at the hip.   

Lauren bent forward like she was parting with a great secret. "Not only did they deck the gym out with decorations and have the best DJ in the city play, but they also put a dance floor in the quad area with lights surrounding it. They even had heat lamps out there." She looked at Carson and rolled her eyes. "Not that they needed it. Carson was a sweaty mess after dancing. You should have seen our picture. My mom was pissed we didn't get it before we went onto the dance floor."