Page 27 of I Think He Knows?

“Slower than almost two years?”

“Trust me—I know,” I say. “He brought up the fact we work together and people will talk.”

“I guess you’ll need to be the one steering the ship,” she says. “There’s nothing wrong with doing that. I took the lead with Jason and look at us now.”

“Eliza and Jess said the same thing—which is why I asked him to dinner.” I tell her.

“Oh good,” she says. “I figured you wouldn’t go off my advice alone.”

“Ha ha,” I say. “In other news, Cam’s picking me up to go to an escape room tomorrow.”

“Excellent. You and him being trapped in a room together might be the thing that finally seals the deal,” she exclaims.

“It would, except we’re going with a group from school,” I tell her. “We didn’t plan it.”

“Oh man, that’s a bummer.”

“Tell me about it.”

“At least you’ll be in the car together, and maybe you can invite him inside when he drops you off,” she suggests. “You can pick up where you left off tonight. I have complete faith in your abilities.”

I giggle. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Think of how far you’ve come,” she reminds me. “I remember when you and Cam were sitting together at lunch a few days a week, and now you’re spending time with each other twice in a twenty-four-hour period. Things may be moving slow, but it’s progress.”

“Thanks. I needed that reminder.”

“Cam knows how special you are,” she insists. “He’s being cautious because he knows he can’t mess this up.”

Tears sting the corners of my eyes. Hearing all these compliments coming from my sister means the world to me. I had so many insecurities surrounding our relationship for years, so this conversation is touching.

“Thank you, Kara,” I say, my voice cracking slightly.

“You know I only speak the truth,” she says. “Honesty is important whether people want to hear it or not.”

“And you’re always honest,” I say.

“Damn right, I am,” she exclaims. “And if that coach can’t decide how he feels, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

And this is the Kara I know.

“Just so you know, I’m not planning on waiting for him forever,” I tell her.

“I’m very happy to hear that,” Kara says. “But I know you Serena—when you have your mind and your heart set on something, there’s no stopping it.”

I snort. “Is that a nice way of saying I’m stubborn.”

“Let’s call it headstrong, just like your fabulous big sis.”

“Ohhh, that’s much better than stubborn.”

“Maybe you should listen to your sister after all.”

I yawn widely. “On that note, I think I need to go to bed.”

“Alright, but I’ll be expecting a full report after you see the coach tomorrow,” she says.

“Whatever. You’re not the boss of me.”

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