Page 11 of Shifted

Sparks doesn’t even cover the word I’d use to describe this feeling. The butterflies that swarm in my stomach make me believe they are almost real. As he pulls back, it leaves me flushed and wanting to experience it again. Instead, he just admires my clueless face. A breeze blowing off the ocean laces my skin with goosebumps from the sudden chill.

"Tell me something about you that I don't know." At my words, his eyes glance up to the dark sky in thought. He leans his head down slightly to reach the height of my ear. “I’m allergic to lemons?” He shrugs, and I laugh slightly, non-intentionally causing his face to turn flustered. He steps back as I shamelessly continue.

"It is not funny. Do you know how cruel it is not to be able to indulge in a lemonade stand as a kid!" I couldn't help but continue to laugh at his poor little face. Robbed of one of childhood's core moments as he probably sat inside and sulked, "Hope," He frowned as I began to pull myself together. I admit it was cruel of me to laugh, but out of all the allergies, lemons seemed to be disruptive in a way.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I pleaded, "It's just, you're this strong, intimidating big guy, laced with tattoos up the sleeves of your arms. Looking like nothing could hurt you, but your downfall is lemons?" He rolled his eyes at me, and there went those butterflies again. My stomach does a slight flip as he wraps his arms around me again in punishment. He attempts to tickle me, but in response, I jab the side of his arm, forcing him to let go.

"You know I hate being tickled!” I warn.

“And you know I hate being mocked even more.” He had a point, and we laid a truce. I pulled him back into my arms in apology.

“What would actually happen?" I whisper, asking past my better judgment, and then he sighs. He looked back up to my face to see me with a raised brow, and after a few moments, he pressed his fingers on his cheeks and neck.

"I'd break out into hives, and my throat would close. That's what will happen, Hope." I bit my bottom lip in regret as he smiled in my acknowledgment, "Not so funny anymore, hmm? Now you know how to kill me if things go south." I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around his neck and sinking into his embrace. I never wanted it to go south; I just wanted it to go north.

"Hope... can I tell you something?" His enchanting eyes met mine again, and his face was more serious this time.

"Is it honesty hour?" I teased and he sucked in his lips, second-guessing himself. I could tell he was talking himself out of it.

"Never mind," he murmured, no longer mustering up the courage to speak his mind. This only left me more curious; I wanted to know what had been so burdening.

"No, now you have to tell me. We don't keep secrets," I said, and he leaned his forehead against mine. I could feel the presence of his nerves just inches away.

"Hope..." He pauses for a moment, making me believe he’ll back out. "I'm falling in love with you."

?

Present

As we entered the parlor, she ran right over to the flavors trapped behind the glass. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the ice cream. “And what can I get for you today, Miss?" The woman behind the counter smiled at her. Joely looked up at the lady, bouncing with excitement.

"Mummy," she pointed to the mint chocolate chip poking against the glass, eager to know what it consisted of. I lifted her and hoisted her onto my hip.

"That's mint chocolate chip. Is that what you want?" She nodded her head with excitement. " How do you ask?" She looked at the lady with a bit of shyness as she clung to me.

"Please get these!” She pointed to the flavor.

"Of course, dear, and for you?" She turned to me with the ice cream scoop in hand.

"I'll just split it with my friend here.” She nodded, grabbed a medium-sized cup, and scooped the ice cream into it.

"Mummy, why can't I have my own." She droned just loud enough for the server to hear, causing her to laugh.

"Well, if you ate it all yourself, you'd get sick! Plus, I wanted the same flavor.” She looked at me, half convinced, as I handed the lady my card in exchange for the ice cream. I really didn’t want her to experience a sugar crash tonight, followed by a meltdown. I gave her the spoon, and she ripped it from my hand like some sugar fiend desperate for sustenance. "Woah, someone's excited." She nodded happily as I received the card back.

"Thank you, and have a good day," I said as she exchanged the same words. We walked out to the brisk fall air and found ourselves at the small park across the street. We sat at a table as we split our ice cream.

"Hope?" A slightly familiar voice calls from afar, and I look over to see him—the guy from Bella's party.

"Reed?" I said, slightly surprised. He walked over, but Joely was too focused on her ice cream to notice his presence.

"Sorry to interrupt, I saw you and just... had to say hi." His eyes glance over at Joely beside me on the bench.

"No interruption; I was just treating my daughter to some ice cream." A look of surprise filled his face at the mention of Joely, but a smile soon replaced it as he looked at her.

"She's cute." He whispered, "How old?"

"She's three. She had a bad day at daycare. These are non-allergy-friendly cupcakes," he grimaced.

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