Page 120 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Me, too.”

We both stand there smiling at each other.

Then I shake my head. “My aunt’s waiting. I can’t miss my flight.”

He quickly nods. “Right. Of course. I’ll take your bag for you.”

I roll my suitcase over to him and he takes hold of the handle. I turn around and take the last few steps toward the stairs, but then I spin around and hurry over to him, pressing my lips to his cheek. Then I run down the stairs.

Aunt Ally’s at the door, looking slightly worried. She sighs in relief when she sees me. “We’re going to cut it close if we don’t move right now.”

“Sorry.”

She nods at Kade. “Thanks so much for helping out. Can you load Zoey’s bag into the car?”

“Sure.”

The three of us make our way to the car. Kade puts my suitcase in the trunk and then says to me, “I can come with you to the airport, if you want.”

“That would be great,” I say. Every last moment I spend with him before my trip will be special. “Is that okay, Aunt Ally?”

“Of course. Plus, I’ll love the company driving back home.”

Kade gets in the back while Aunt Ally and I climb into the front. Once we’re all buckled up and Aunt Ally puts on some music, she drives us to the airport. It’s outside of Edenbury, and the trip will take about an hour. We spend the time talking about school, news going around Edenbury, and Aunt Ally tells us about the book she and the Four Musketeers have chosen for their book club. My aunt is super stoked that they agreed on a Regency romance.

“I’m already two-thirds in,” she tells us.

“Wow, you read fast,” Kade says.

“Never get between Aunt Ally and her romance books,” I say with a laugh. “Especially if they’re Regency.”

Her cheeks grow pink. “What can I say? I love what I love.”

“And that’s what makes you awesome,” I tell her.

“Thanks, sweetie.” She glances at Kade through the rearview mirror. “I know you’re not a big reader, Kade, but I have to say your essays are always so well thought out. It’s always a pleasure hearing your viewpoint.”

“What? Are you sure? My essays are always so lame.”

She shakes her head. “Would I give As and Bs to papers I find lame?”

He crosses his arms over his chest and looks away. “I wondered if you were going easy on me because of…well, you know.”

Aunt Ally shakes her head. “Of course not. I treat each and every one of my students equally.”

He lowers his arms from his chest. “Thanks.”

“No problem. And of course I find your essays very thought-provoking, Zoey,” she tells me. “It’s always a pleasure to read your thoughts, too.”

“Thanks.”

About an hour later, Aunt Ally pulls into the airport parking lot. After Kade heaves my suitcase out of the trunk, we make our way inside.

“Zack and I will miss you, Zoey.” Aunt Ally closes me in her arms, pressing her lips to my cheek. “Have an amazing time. And send my regards to your grandparents and parents, and of course Brock. Let him know that he’s always in our thoughts.”

“I will.”

Kade and I face each other. My cheeks heat up when I remember what almost happened in the hallway no more than an hour ago. If Aunt Ally hadn’t interrupted us…would my lips have met his?

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