Free Lost to You by A. L. Jackson

flutter that palpitated my heart whenever he said things like that. We both knew flattery was really unnecessary since it was obvious he had already talked me into it.
    “Fine.”
    I gathered my stuff, slipped into my jacket, and hefted my backpack onto my shoulders. I followed Christian out and down his hall. He pulled open the stairwell door and extended his arm to hold it open, though he remained in front of me, as if he might need to catch me if I were to trip and fall. The stairwell always seemed much too tight, the walls like a barrier that held in all the energy that radiated between us.
    Outside the air was crisp, the night alive. I breathed it in, hoping to quell my racing nerves. I could do this. Christian was my friend, and it wasn’t fair for me to avoid every other aspect of his life that didn’t involve me. I’d made it clear before that I wanted to know him, really know him, and how could I if the only time I spent with him was behind his apartment door?
    His hands were shoved in his pockets, his stride strong, but slowed to sync with mine as he walked alongside me. “So...” He breathed out, puffing out his cheeks as he did. “Turns out my parents are coming here for Thanksgiving after all.”
    “Really? Is that what your dad called about?” I lifted a brow. Originally, his parents were supposed to be out of the country for the holiday. “You sound thrilled about it.”
    An incredulous sound slipped from his mouth. “A perfect night in Hell...Thanksgiving dinner at some stuffy restaurant with my dad harassing me the entire time. Can’t wait .”
    We walked a couple steps in silence before Christian fixed his gaze on me.
    “Why don’t you come with me?”
    Laughter bubbled up at the absurdity, but I held it in when I realized he remained silent, waiting. Oh . He was serious. I frowned. This sounded like a really bad idea. I couldn’t stand his parents, and I hadn’t even met them yet. “Don’t you think that’s a little bit weird? I mean, won’t they get the wrong idea or something?”
    “Maybe.” A small shrug of his shoulders discounted it. “But I don’t really care. Let them think whatever the hell they want. I just don’t want to go by myself, and I don’t want you sitting at home by yourself on Thanksgiving, either. At least if you’re there, my dad will lay off me a little. He wouldn’t want to look like the asshole he is in front of someone he doesn’t know.”
    “So what you’re saying is you want me to protect you from your parents?”
    “Exactly.” He knocked into me, jostling my body slightly to the side, the weight gone from his face as he laughed. “No, Elizabeth, you’re my best friend. Who else would I want to spend Thanksgiving with?”
    His words struck me, and I warmed from head to toe. That was really all I needed. I slowed to the point of barely walking, turning completely to face Christian at my side. “You’re my best friend, too, Christian. You know that, right?”
    He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. The expression on his face said it all. He was all sweet, adoring, had that look that always warned how easily we could slip. Fall. I drew in a deep breath and turned ahead.
    “So? You’re coming?” he prodded as I stepped in front of him to open my building door.
    “Of course I’ll come.”
    He followed me inside and up the stairs. “Guess I managed to talk you into two things you didn’t want to do tonight.” He was so close behind me, his breath rustled through my hair.
    “Um, yeah...I guess you did.”
    “Must be my lucky night.”
    I glanced over my shoulder at the smirk I already knew would be waiting there. The lightness in his tone warned me he’d made the flip to that cocky boy I’d met the first time in the café. I figured I’d be dealing with him all night since we were heading over to his friends’, although I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.
    I played along, smirked back. “Yeah, I’m sure it will be. Let’s