Page 5 of The Sweet Spot

“She literally just said that, dude,” Matt says with a snort, tossing a smirk my way.

Her fingers go to a gold charm hanging from her necklace. Her eyes, though…she keeps those on me.

I smile at her, real direct. “I’ll just have a churro, then. Thanks.”

She nods, and I watch as she walks away, appreciating how nicely her ass fills out her shorts. Our eyes meet again as she hands the churro over. She’s got a little dimple on one cheek that deepens reflexively when I smile ather. “How much do I owe you?”

“I got it,” Logan says, slapping a twenty down.

I take a bite of warm, soft, sugary churro. It tastes like childhood, sweeping a powerful wave of nostalgia over me.

“Thanks,” Logan’s saying, sliding the change she gives him into his pocket. He gives her a five-dollar bill. “Here’s a tip for dealing with these losers.”

“You don’t have to…”

“Please,” says Logan, winking at her. I narrow my eyes, wondering what his angle is, but she laughs, shaking her head as she pockets the bill.

Logan turns to go, slurping contentedly at his soda, but I glance at the girl, my words flowing before I’ve consciously decided to release them. “Hey, can I get another one, please?”

I watch as she goes to get it, and this time, she catches me staring. Her cheeks flush, but she lifts her chin as she hands over the churros. “Here, I gave you two.”

Yeah, the feeling’s definitely mutual.

“What’s your name?” I ask, handing over my debit card.

She mashes her lips together as she slides it through the card reader at the register. “Wren.”

“Like the bird,” I say stupidly, eyes falling to the little, gold bird on her necklace. I bet she hears that all the time.

“Like the bird,” she echoes, a wry grin surfacing. She returns my card along with an extra napkin.

“You hear that about ten times a day, don’t you,” I guess, leaning on the counter.

Nodding, she tucks a loose curl behind her ear where she’s got a row of tiny earrings, glittering gems of various colors. “Maybe like…five times a day.”

“Well, I’m Luca,” I say, offering my hand.

She accepts. “Hey, Luca.”

“Hey.” I rub my thumb over her hand, holding it lightly.

This close up, I can see that her upturned eyes aren’t just green. They’re ringed with gray, like the beach on a bright day that’s hinting at rain, framed by long, dark lashes.

“Lucaaaaa,” Matt yells, in an obnoxious, artificially high voice that carries well above the din of the crowd.

I swing my head around, annoyed. The guys are shuffling aimlessly, waiting for me to bring my ass over so we can start going on rides.Come on.Like they’ve never tried to holler at a cutie. I’ll have to have a chat with them about their cockblocking ways.

“I guess I have to go.” I release her hand, watching as she smiles. “See you around, Wren.”

“Bye.” She takes a step back, hitching her thumbs into her pockets. Thin, silver bangles and friendship bracelets of all colors line her wrists. She’sa fresh-faced beach girl through and through, and those shorts are sweet, but I’d love to see her in a bikini. Hopefully she goes to UCSC and not the local high school.

I’d ask for her number, but the timing feels off. I’ll either be working at a firm in Berkeley this summer or heading to Brazil for summerandfall. There’s just no time for hanging out at the boardwalk. Besides, should I be flirting with this girl when I’m still wondering about another?

“You got a sweet spot for Sweet Spot?” jokes Matt, eyeing my snacks as I join the group.

“Maybe.” I offer him a churro, which he accepts and polishes off in two bites.

“Yeah, bro, she was cute,” Kellan says approvingly, raising an eyebrow. “You thinkin’ about it?”

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