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laughs.
    Sky and I start the first problem, sorting
columns and rows for matrices. It’s hard to concentrate on math…and
not on her. The lights come on in the backyard as the sun goes
down. She catches on fast as I walk her through problem after
problem. I feel smart and useful, and hopefully she doesn’t think
I’m too much of a nerd for knowing this stuff.
    “You’re a good tutor.” She slides her
homework into her textbook.
    “Thanks.” I’m staring at her lips again.
    “Walk me home?” She stands up.
    I nearly knock my chair over trying to keep
up with her.
    We make it to the front door when I hear
Mom’s voice.
    “Nice to meet you, Sky. You’re welcome
anytime,” Mom says leaning out of her room at the end of the
hall.
    “Thanks.” Sky waves as we step out the
door.
    I ignore the wide-eyed look Mom gives me on
our way out.
    “It was nice seeing you today.” What a lame
thing to say, but I really can’t think of anything else.
    “You are still seeing me.” She
bumps my leg with her hip.
    I realize, just now, how
tall she is. She’s taller than Mom, taller than probably most girls
I know. “Guess I am.” I stare at the
sidewalk. “You’re tall.”
    “You just noticed?”
    “I…” Once again, I don’t know what to
say.
    “My mom is Native American. My dad’s a tall,
skinny white guy.” She chuckles. “I’ve met him, spent a little time
with him, but I don’t really know him.”
    “And you’re staying with his parents?” It
seems bizarre, or maybe just hard.
    “I’ve met them before, but we’re still
getting used to each other.” Her voice is quiet and smooth. Maybe
she’s resigned, or maybe she really does glide through life the way
it seems.
    “Oh.” I remember I held her hand last time
we walked together. I reach for it again.
    “Still working toward that kiss?” She
doesn’t laugh, but there’s laughter on the edges of her words.
    Remember, it’s all about
honesty. “Yep.”
    “Good.”
    That one simple word hits me like something
warm and soft as it slowly spreads through me. Without much
conscious thought, I squeeze her hand.
    “If you’re still working toward that, maybe
you could take me out this Friday.” Her face is relaxed, but she
isn’t looking at me.
    “Take you out?” Crap. Why did I have to repeat that? And why am I
staring?
    “Yeah, Jay. Take me out.” Her voice oozes
sarcasm as she glances my way. “It’s my birthday.”
    “Wow, no pressure.” I chuckle.
    “I’m turning nineteen.” She bumps my arm
with her shoulder. I’m relieved at her age. I thought she was
older.
    I bump her arm back, just to feel it again.
“I’ll pick you up around six o’clock?”
    “What should I wear?”
    How the hell do I answer that question?
    She laughs. “Tell you what. I’m going to
wear something comfortable on my feet; probably a skirt and I’ll
bring a hoodie since it’s still cold in the evenings. I’ve only
been here since January, so I want you to show me Vegas.”
    “That I can do.” I’m already running through
my head where I want to take her. “Are you opposed to being out all
night?”
    “Wow, Jay. That’s forward.”
    I’m sure I redden. Hopefully the darkness of
my skin helps a bit. “What I meant was, I’m up for most of the
night on the weekends and things don’t really slow down on the
strip until like three or four in the morning.”
    “Okay.”
    We’re in her driveway now. We stop, but I
don’t move away.
    “Are you still thinking you might get that
kiss tonight?” She folds her arms.
    “Maybe.” Definitely.
    “You need to recover from the other girl
first.” Her deep brown eyes watch mine carefully.
    For the first time all day, I can breathe
easy. It feels impossible—that talking about Sarah to Sky could
help me to breathe, but Sky’s here, making me feel…warm. I really,
really want to kiss her again.
    “It’ll happen. You just
rub really hard, right here.” She laughs putting both of her hands
on my