Page 143 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

He finds me and smiles. I smile back, my heart hammering in my chest. He’s about to come over to me, but a teacher stops him and starts chatting with him.

“Ooh, look at how she’s staring at Kade,” Mia hisses to Rylee. “Like a girl in love.”

I give her a look. “Stop that. I’m not in love. I just happen to think he’s the sweetest and kindest guy on the planet.”

Mia and Rylee swoon.

“And you guys are going to the dance together,” Mia says with a dreamy look on her face. “You and Rylee are so lucky.”

“Have you thought about asking anyone?” I say.

She makes a face as she sighs dramatically, bending over so she looks like a question mark. “I tried and failed and tried again and failed again. It’s not happening.” She straightens up. “But I don’t want you to worry about me. Have fun with your guys. And Zoey, please be open to the idea of falling in love. Don’t hold back.”

“Can we please stop talking about the L word?” I ask.

She waves her hand. “Fine, whatever. But we’re totally going dress shopping tomorrow. The dance is this Saturday and we don’t have a lot of time.”

The thought of wearing a dress made me gag in the past, even though I forced myself to wear them before, like to homecoming. But now that I’m going with Kade…it doesn’t sound so bad.

“I can’t tomorrow. Kade’s taking me to see his mom,” I inform them.

Both of them turn to Kade with sorrow in their eyes, as he continues talking to the teacher. “It’s so sad what happened to his parents,” Rylee says.

“It’s a good thing he has you, though,” Mia says. “And Ally and Zack. He’s not alone.”

I nod. “I can’t wait to see her. She’s so important to him and I know how hard it is for him to see her lying in a coma instead of living happily like most people’s moms. I want to be there for him.”

Rylee smiles. “That’s great. I know he’ll appreciate it. What gift did you get him?”

“A detective book. He likes true crime and I came across the book and thought of him. I don’t know if he’ll read it, but that doesn’t matter.”

Mia playfully knocks her shoulder into mine. “If you got it for him, you bet your butt he’ll read it. The guy’s crazy about you.”

I blink at her. “What are you talking about?”

She rolls her eyes, exasperated. “Don’t you see the way he looks at you? Like you’re the most important person in his life. I mean, even when he’s talking to the teacher, his eyes keep making their way to you.”

I turn to Kade. Sure enough, his gaze darts to me every so often. I don’t know if he’s even listening to what the teacher is telling him.

The almost-kiss flashes before my eyes and my body is engulfed in warmth. I’m tingly all over and it’s the most amazing feeling. Like I’m floating on a cloud.

“Why are you smiling like a goof?” Mia asks.

My eyes widen. “Nothing! Nothing happened.”

They exchange a glance.

“What’s going on?” Rylee asks. “You’re being weird. Something happened that you’re not telling us about.”

I sigh, figuring I won’t be able to hide this from them forever. “Okay, don’t freak out, but before I left, Kade and I…we almost kissed.”

“What?!” They start demanding questions and explanations. I hold up my hands and tell them everything.

Rylee blinks at me. “Did you want to kiss him?”

“Yes.”

“And I bet he wanted to kiss you,” Mia adds. “Duh, or else he wouldn’t have almost-kissed you.” She swoons. “This is so exciting. But where do you guys stand now? I mean, did he tell you he likes you?”

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