Page 118 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

Hugging the book to my chest, I say, “Thanks so much, Kade. I’ll read this book on the plane and in Boston.”

He smiles. “I hope you enjoy it.”

“I know I will.” I place the book in my carry-on.

Aunt Ally enters my room. “You have everything you need, Zoey?”

“Think so.”

“Ready to go?”

“Yep.”

“I’ll carry your bag downstairs,” Kade offers.

“Thanks.”

Aunt Ally goes downstairs. I wheel my bag to Kade, who takes it and leaves my room, with me following him.

“What are your plans for the weekend?” I ask him as we walk through the hallway to the stairs.

“Not sure yet, but I think Ally and Zack want to watch a movie with me. I’m sure I’ll find ways to keep myself busy.”

“Right.”

He stops walking, parking my suitcase on the side. Then he turns around and moves closer to me. I don’t know why I back up, until my back hits the wall behind me. Kade continues moving closer and then rests his hand above me on the wall. Gazing into my eyes, he murmurs, “I’ll miss you, you know.”

I stare back into his eyes. “You will?”

“Of course. I’ll think about you every day.”

I swallow as my insides turn to jelly. “So will I.”

“Yeah?” He lifts his other hand toward my face. Slowly, it inches closer until his fingers brush my cheek, as light as a feather. A sigh escapes my lips as a swarm of butterflies invades my stomach, and my eyes flutter shut. When I open them a second later, his are filled with heavy emotion.

My hand slowly rises to his face as well, sweeping across his cheek and then moving to the hair at the nape of his neck. I play with his long hair as I continue staring into his eyes, my breathing growing labored with every passing second.

Kade’s eyes drop to my lips for a second before returning to my face. “You’re so beautiful, Zoey.”

“I…thanks,” I breathe.

He dips his face toward mine. I move mine closer to his.

My eyes flutter shut again as blood pulses through my body. Am I about to have my first kiss?

I feel him moving closer, his warm breath tickling my cheek. My blood pounds even more, making me feel a little lightheaded. I can’t even feel my legs.

In just a few seconds, Kade and I will—

“Zoey, where are you? I don’t want you to miss your flight.”

I jerk back, my eyes snapping open and my head hitting the wall. Kade stumbles back, his hand dropping from the wall. Both of our chests heave as we stare at each other with wide eyes.

“Zoey?” Aunt Ally calls. “You okay up there?”

Rubbing the back of my head to ease the pain, I squeak, “I’m fine.” I clear my throat and call out, “I’m fine! Just, um, I forgot something.”

“Okay, but please hurry. Your parents will murder me if I make you miss your flight.”

---