Chapter 37

Neither of them would admit it, but the song had really gotten to them. They just sort of gazed at each other for a moment, completely forgetting where they were. What felt like an eternity was really only a few seconds, because once Ned started his next song, they snapped out of their mutual trances and turned back to the stage.

Emily and Nikolas sighed, not realizing they had been holding their breath. They looked at each other and Emily shrugged. “I guess it’ll take more than a romantic song to get those two together,” she whispered.

Nikolas shook his head. “I’m not so sure. Didn’t you see how they were looking at each other? It definitely got to them. Maybe they finally realized that there’s something there. Now all they have to do is admit it to each other.”

She smiled. “Yeah, but do you think they’ll do it before Thursday?”

“Thursday?”

“Halloween. If I remember correctly, that’s the deadline you set! Are you still feeling so sure about that?”

He thought for a moment, then nodded smugly. “Yes, I am. If I were you, I’d get that money ready.”

“What are you guys whispering about over there?” Lucky asked suspiciously.

“Oh! We were just, um, talking about Ned. That’s all,” Emily answered quickly, trying to make up a believeable excuse. Lucky just kind of looked at her strangely for a moment, then turned back to the stage.

~*~

“Luke, I saw what you did. I thought we agreed not to do anything to push them!” Laura said, coming back to the bar.

He just grinned and shrugged his shoulders. “How do you know I didn’t just want to hear that song?”

“Luke, give me a break. It was so obvious why you did that. Unfortunately for you, it didn’t work. In case you haven’t noticed, they’re pretty much ignoring each other right now.”

“Maybe, but did you see them right after the song? I think it finally hit them. Admitting it to themselves is half the battle. The rest will come easily. They can’t deny it any longer, babe, they like each other. You just wait. Come Halloween, I’m going to be a hundred dollars richer. Maybe even move than that, if Lucky is the one to crack!”

Laura just shook her head as Nikolas and Emily came up to the bar. The show had ended and Liz had made some excuse about her grandmother waiting up and rushed out of the club already. Lucky had left soon after her.

Emily laughed and shook her finger at him, chastising him for what he did. “If they get together by Thursday, I think we should disqualify you. That little dedication was definitely against the rules!”

~*~

“What was that?” Lucky asked himself once he was in his room. Ever since Ned played that song his father requested, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Elizabeth. There was a little voice in the back of his mind telling him that he was falling for her, but it sounded way too much like his dad, so he pushed it away.

“This isn’t possible,” he grumbled. “It’s just the result of so many people pressuring us to get together for the past few months. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I need to do something to get my mind off of her....”

He looked around his room for a moment, trying to find something constructive to do. He spotted his bookbag in the corner and decided to do some homework, even if it was only Friday night. While he worked on his Calculus, he tried to think of a way to avoid his father for the rest of his life.

~*~

Elizabeth flopped down on her bed after changing into her pajamas. “What in the world is wrong with me?” she muttered, staring at the ceiling. “Lucky is the most annoying person I’ve ever met. I can not be falling for him!”

She got up and began to pace. “Okay, Liz, just think about this rationally. Sure, he’s done some nice things. He patched up that burn, and watched over me when I was having those nightmares, carried me upstairs...but that was all just one night out of two months. Aside from a few nice comments or apologies, he’s been horrible. He makes fun of me, does everything he can to annoy me....he’s a good kisser...stop that!” She groaned and threw herself down on the bed.

“Maybe if he wasn’t so darn cute, this would be easier. I just need to avoid him, that’s all. We’re done with our project for now, so for the rest of the week, I’ll just stay away from him. How hard can that be?” She smiled, thinking she had finally come up with a good plan, until she remembered her previous commitment to go trick-or-treating with him and his sister. If she cancelled now, he’d know something was up. Plus, she loved that little girl to pieces, and Lulu had been so excited when they told her she was going.....

“Damn. Okay, fine. I’ll see him on Halloween, but that’s it!” She sighed, then got into bed, turning off the light. She had to work in the morning, and figured she might as well get some sleep.

Just as she was drifting off, the phone rang. She ignored it at first, then thought it might be her grandmother, so she grudgingly answered it.

“Hello?”

“Um, hi Elizabeth. Did I wake you?”

She sighed. So much for avoiding him. “Not yet, but if you had waited another minute you might have. What’s up?”

“Well, you kind of ran out of the club before. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, I guess.”

“I told you, my grandmother was waiting up.” She cringed, knowing he would see right through that.

“Elizabeth, you already told me earlier that she was working the graveyard shift tonight. Now, why did you really leave so fast?”

“Since when do I have to explain myself to you? I wanted to leave, so I did. I said that thing about my grandmother so I wouldn’t seem rude, that’s all.”

Still not buying it, he sighed. “All right, whatever. Are you still coming for Halloween? Lulu can’t stop talking about it.” He knew he should just say good night and hang up, but couldn’t bring himself to do it yet.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Are you going to tell me what your costume is yet?” She reverted back to teasing him, since it was easier than dealing with her feelings.

“Of course not! You’ll have to wait until Thursday like everyone else. Trust me, it’s really good! What about you? Are you going to keep yours a secret now out of spite?”

She laughed. “Actually, I am. It’s only fair, right? What’s Lulu going as?”

“A princess. I guess she figured since my dad calls her that all the time, it’s what she is.” He laughed, remembering how he wnet as a cowboy one year when he was a kid.

“Something tells me you were a cowboy once,” she said jokingly, unaware that she had practically read his mind.

Startled for a second, he stammered before answering. “Um, actually, yeah, but when I was really young. I think it was my mom’s idea or soemthing.” He lied. It was his idea, and he wasn’t all that young, but he didn’t want her to make fun of him.

“Uh-huh, sure,” she said, not believing him for a second. “Look, I have to work in the morning, so I really better get some sleep. I’ll see you at school, okay?”

“Sure. Sorry about calling so late. Bye.”

“Bye.” She hung up and rolled over, trying to get comfortable again, chuckling as she pictured him dressed as a cowboy.

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