1269_UgliesFreeBook

UGLIES 251
“Shay’s tried hard to make up for chickening out that
first time, and for giving you directions when she promised
me she wouldn’t,” he said. “Now she’s decided the Smoke is
the greatest place in the world. And that I’m the best person
in the world for bringing her here.”
“She really likes you, David.”
“And I really like her. But she’s just not . . .”
“Not what?”
“Not serious. Not you.”
Tally turned away, her head swimming. She knew she
had to keep her promise now, or she never would. Her fingers
went to the pendant. “David . . .”
“Yeah, I noticed that necklace. After your smile, it was
the second thing I noticed about you.”
“You know someone gave it to me.”
“That’s what I figured.”
“And I . . . I told them about the Smoke.”
He nodded. “I figured that, too.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
He shrugged. “You never promised me anything. I hadn’t
even met you.”
“But you still . . .” David was gazing into her eyes, his
face glowing again. Tally looked away, trying to drown her
uncanny pretty feelings in the sea of white weeds.
David sighed softly. “You left a lot of things behind
when you came here—your parents, your city, your whole
life. And you are starting to like the Smoke, I can tell. You