The Boyfriend Project Read Free Page B

off the bench and waited for me to join him. It was the manners thing his dad had drilled into him. When I got near, he kissed me on the cheek. Then we both settled into the booth.
    We’d eaten at the family diner often enough that we didn’t have to look at the menu. He ordered meat loaf and I went with fried chicken. While we were waiting, I reached across the table and held his hands. He was wearing a long-sleeved, buttoned, light-blue shirt and a dark blue tie. He’d loosened the tie. Made him look sexy, rebellious.
    â€œEverything okay?” I asked.
    He shrugged, smiled. “Missed you.”
    Warmth swirled through me. Even after all these months, sometimes it was difficult to believe that he loved me. His family had way more money than mine, lived in a larger house. His dad was a lawyer for Pete’s sake, which just sounded fancy. They’d taken us to a high-end restaurant for Jeremy’s birthday. He’d had to wear a sport coat. He’d looked great, but the evening was so formal and uncomfortable. I’d worried that I would use the wrong utensil or make a mistake in etiquette that would have everyone raising eyebrows at me. My mom and I liked tohang out at Cheez It Up, a pizza place with a rodent for a mascot and a carnival atmosphere. “How’s work?”
    â€œSame-o. Researching stuff.”
    â€œTV shows make it look so exciting to be a lawyer,” I said. “What if you’re bored because you really have no interest in the law?”
    He looked out the window. “My dad would be disappointed. Sometimes I think he’s trying to relive his life through me.” He shook his head. “Sorry, just got into it with him last night. Guess some of the remnants of our discussion are lingering.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you say something when you texted good night?”
    â€œI didn’t want to bother you with it.”
    â€œJeremy! I’m your girlfriend. We’re supposed to share stuff.”
    â€œNot this.”
    I was a little hurt that he would keep something from me, because I assumed we shared everything. I’d been with him long enough to know he and his dad seldom had discussions . They were often at odds, but he rarely talked about it. I was surprised that he’d agreed to work with his dad this summer.
    â€œDid the argument have anything to do with our going to the beach with Avery?” I asked.
    â€œNo, I didn’t even go there. I don’t have to get hispermission. I’m eighteen.”
    I stared at him, surprised but also impressed with his rebelliousness. He always got his parents’ approval if we were doing something other than just hanging out. I wondered if Fletcher was rubbing off on him or if he was simply coming into his own.
    The waitress came to our table. Jeremy and I unlocked hands and she set the food down.
    â€œHow’s Drifter?” Jeremy asked, and I recognized that he wanted to move the discussion away from his dad. He’d met the dog when I cared for him before. See? The sharing thing.
    â€œDoing good.” I waved my drumstick around. “You know, I’ve been thinking that we could bring in some extra money pet-sitting while at A&M. It’s not like high school, where we’re in class all day. Our schedules will be more flexible.”
    â€œWe?” he asked.
    â€œYeah, I figure we could do it together if you want. I even have a name for it. ‘Pawsitively Pampered.’ Positively spelled P-A-W-S , etc.”
    â€œYou’ve given a lot of thought to it.”
    I shrugged. “I’m going to need some spending money. Don’t want to depend on my mom for everything.”
    â€œWish I didn’t have to depend on my dad for anything.I’ll help you where I can, but I’m planning on getting a job that will give me more independence.”
    â€œLike what?” I asked.
    â€œI don’t know. But I’m going to start browsing the