Page 66 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Actually, Zoey?”

I spin around.

He shakes his head. “Never mind.”

Another wave of disappointment rains down on me, but I push it away and open the door, stepping outside. Asher’s black car is in the driveway, with his window lowered. I can hear Mia and her dad going over some of her lines for the play, with him offering his input.

I make it a few feet before Kade calls, “Zoey, wait!”

When I turn around, I find him in the doorway, still holding the cookie container.

“Yeah?” I ask.

“I changed my mind about the party.”

“You want to come?” I ask.

“Um…” He pushes some hair out of his eyes. “Yeah.”

“There’s enough room in the car,” I say, then mentally hit myself. There’s enough room in the car?

He nods. “If your friends don’t mind.”

“Of course they don’t.”

He’s about to close the door behind him, but I say, “You should probably put that back in the kitchen.”

“What?” He follows my gaze and looks down at the container in his hand. “Oh, Right. Be back in a second.”

I walk over to the car and say, “Is it okay if Kade comes, too?”

“Sure,” Mia says. “It’s unexpected, though.”

“Yeah…”

Kade shuts the front door and then he and I get in the backseat. Asher smiles at him through the rearview mirror. “Hello, Kade. My name is Lorenzo and I’ll be your driver tonight. Please keep your arms and legs in the vehicle at all times, and hopefully we’ll have a smooth journey.”

Kade gapes at him with furrowed brows. “Aren’t you Asher Park? My dad was a huge fan of yours.”

He said “was a huge fan.” As in, the past. Does that mean his dad is no longer alive?

Asher shakes his head. “No, sir. I’m Lorenzo the chauffeur.” He pulls onto the street, leaving Kade completely befuddled.

I lean in to say, “You’ll have to excuse Asher. He and Mia are always doing improv. Actors,” I joke, rolling my eyes playfully.

“Cool.”

Mia practices her lines with her dad while Kade and I sit quietly in the back. I try to watch him from the corner of my eye, but I can’t make out his expression.

“Much better!” Asher says, high-fiving Mia. “A Tony-worthy performance.”

Mia bows. “Thank you, thank you. I couldn’t have done it without the legendary Lorenzo the chauffeur.”

He tips his imaginary hat.

“Those two are always entertaining,” I tell Kade with a smile.

He’s quiet for a bit before saying, “I think what they have is…it’s very special. She’s lucky.”

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