Page 33 of Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls

I chuckle. “You’re right though, Bek. Eventually, it’ll probably happen for us. At least that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Bek cocks her head, her usual dreamy expression back on her face as she smiles at me. “I was actually thinking about you and Dylan. You’ll get a job and then want to see him when you aren’t working. Sam and I will barely see you.”

I rock back in my chair. “I do not know where you’re getting the idea that anything will ever happen between Oak Grove High’s bad boy and me. Bad boys do not date clumsy girls.”

But as I talk, my skin heats with the memory of the water fight and how sexy Dylan looked with his shirt forming to his muscles and his long bangs dripping over his intense gaze. At first, I was caught up in the hilarity of the fight. Then, embarrassed by the awkwardness of it, but thinking back now, I realize it might be the most sensual moment of my whole life. I have to fight to keep from fanning myself.

An unexpected quiet draws my attention back to the restaurant and my friends, who are both staring at me expectantly. “What?”

Sam smirks. “Oh, I think something is going on, for sure. It looks to me like you have a story to tell.”

I blush even harder and know I’ll never convince them that nothing is going on, so I share the highlights of the day, starting with Dylan leaving the gate open and ending with the water fight.

Halfway through the story, Bek props her chin on her hand, and I can tell she’s soaking up every word. “That’s so romantic,” she sighs when I finish.

Sam scoffs. “Romantic, shmomantic. That’s hot! Dang, girl, I’ve never had that hot of a moment with anyone I’ve dated.”

“Oh, come on, Sam. I find that hard to believe.” I point around the room at three boys who stare longingly at her.

Sam sighs. “I’m not saying I don’t enjoy my dates. But they are always trying to make something crazy sexy like that happen, but in the end, it’s just a staged event. Singing outside my window, a locker stuffed with rose petals, a promposal on the screen at the movies.”

“The car cover promposal,” Bek adds. “That was clever.”

Sam shrugs. “They’re all romantic gestures, but only because of the thought and planning that went into making them happen. A steamy water fight where you end up in his arms? That’s hot.”

I squeal and bury my face in my hands. “It really was!”

We giggle together, and Sam claps her hands excitedly. “Do you think he’ll ask you out?”

I sober then. “No. I really don’t. We have nothing in common. We’re stuck working together for however long he has to do his community service.” I slap my hand over my mouth, realizing what I just admitted. The girls laugh. It’s obvious they knew that’s why he was there. I clear my throat to continue. “Anyway, he has zero interest in me. And if I’m honest, I think he’s really good-looking, but he kind of scares me.”

“He scares you because he makes you feel things,” Sam says. “Like butterflies and heart palpitations.”

I groan. “It’s more like drones and heart attacks.”

Sam pats my hand. “You just go ahead and have a crush. It’s fun, doesn’t hurt anyone, and we’ll help you through it.”

“What do you mean?”

Bek leans forward with interest as well.

“I love the crush stage so much.” Sam sighs with pleasure. “Before the guy knows that you like him, and you anticipate what might happen when you see him next. The thrill when he touches your hand or brushes past you. The crush stage is absolutely my favorite.”

“Wow, you make it sound great.” I grimace. “Why do I feel so miserable?”

“Trust me.” Sam nods. “It is great. Don’t anticipate that anything will ever develop between you, just enjoy your secret feelings whenever he’s around. It’s the best. Promise.”

I raise my eyebrows at Bek. “What do you think?”

Bek giggles. “I think I want to find someone to have a crush on.”

Sam winks. “You know it, girl.”

I look around at all the boys who probably harbor their own crush on Sam in that moment. They all appear slightly miserable. Maybe Sam’s advice to not anticipate that anything will come of it is the key to just enjoying it. I absolutely love the feel of my pulse racing and the anticipation of seeing Dylan.

I sit back in my chair with a decisive nod. “Okay, I’m gonna do it.”

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