Page 9 of I Think He Knows?

He nods and then saunters away quickly.

“Hungry?” I ask.

She shrugs. “A little. And everything looks so good.”

I take a sip of my water. Just then Ariel slides her chair over and sits down next to me.

“Okay—next Saturday we’re doing the escape room,” Ariel announces. “Everyone I’ve talked to is excited. We’ll have a great group.”

Naturally my thoughts shift to the conversation I had with Coach Cam.

“Where are we going?” Jess asks.

“I was just about to ask the same question,” I say. “My definition of an escape room might be a little different than yours.”

Ariel throws her head back in laughter. She knows I’m right.

“I did some research and found the best one in the area,” Ariel replies. “Don’t worry.”

“So it’s an actual escape room,” I ask. “This isn’t a secret plan to get everyone to jump out of a plane or something else as equally terrifying?”

Ariel looks taken back. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”

Jess looks at me and nods. “Well, it’s a valid question. Serena just asked what we were all thinking.”

“Oh stop, it’s an actual escape room,” Ariel says with an eye roll.

“You can’t blame me for asking,” I say. “Actually, Cam is the one who brought that up.”

Jess raises an eyebrow at my mention of Cam.

“Speaking of everyone’s favorite coach—I have gossip,” Ariel exclaims.

For some reason my heart starts pounding like it always does when someone brings Cam up.

Jess shoots me a side glance.

“Apparently someone was just hired, and she and Cam have a history,” Ariel says lowering her voice.

“How do you know?” Jess asks, sounding just as interested as I am.

“Britney told me she overheard a conversation,” Ariel replies.

Hmm…I’m not sure what to believe when it comes to Britney. Especially because she’s still salty about Cam not returning her interest.

“What kind of history?” I ask, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. I’m probably not doing a very good job. And I think everyone knows about my mega crush anyway.

Ariel shrugs. “I have no idea. The only thing she said was that this woman knew Cam during some previous stage of life.”

Hearing this makes my heart sink. I know I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, and just because they know each other doesn’t mean there was or is a romantic connection. They could be family friends or old classmates or cousins—the possibilities are endless. I guess it just feels like every time I take a step forward with Cam, something or someone else gets in the way. Ugh—my brain is already overthinking all the possible scenarios.

“Anyway, who knows when it comes to Cam,” Ariel adds. “Personally, I don’t get why everyone is so hung up on him. Yes, he’s attractive, but there’s no edge. He’s just so…nice.”

Jess laughs. “And that’s a bad thing?”

Ariel sighs. “I guess that’s my problem. I never go for the nice guys.”

Jess nods in agreement. “I know the feeling.”

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