Page 36 of The Do-Over

He just said, “You’ll find out when I text you. Number, please.”

I told him, and he punched the numbers into his phone.

My phone lit up.Nick: Guess who?

I smiled and moved to the seat at the other table before responding.Me: My surly lab partner…?

Nick: It’s the cool guy who gave you a ride to school.

That made me smile.Me: Ah—THAT guy.

Nick: Do you want a ride home?

I gasped. Like, literally gasped. Because—dear Lord: Was Nick Stark asking me out–ish? What was this day? Who was this boy?

What was happening?

Me: I’ve got a ride, but thank you SO much!

When I pressed send, an unexpected feeling settled in my chest. It was something like… regret.

But I was on the verge of possibly escaping the fourteenth of February, and I couldn’t risk it. I needed to perfect the rest of the day, and that included Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend.

Nick: So if Betty doesn’t start, you’re unavailable for turnover duty?

Why was I disappointed that I was unavailable for turnover duty?

Me: Unfortunately yes. But I’m sure there are lots of strangers you could summon who can start your truck.

Nick: We aren’t strangers, remember?

I glanced over at him, and he was looking directly at me with one eyebrow raised and a smirk on his lips. I felt a little light-headed as I texted:Oh, yes—that’s right.

Mr. Bong started handing out quizzes, and we weren’t able to talk or text for the rest of the hour. Which was good; I needed to stay focused. The second I turned in my quiz, I left the room without even daring to glance in Nick’s direction.

I stayed happy and nice and positive through the rest of the day, and when I rushed to meet Josh at his locker after school, he turned and smiled at me with a huge grin.

“Thank God—thankGod.” He leaned forward and pressed hisforehead against mine. “It’s Valentine’s Day and I haven’t even seen the Emmie of my heart yet. Where in God’s name have you been hiding all day?”

I smiled up at him, but a tiny part of me was wondering if he’d kissed Macy. And if he hadn’t, had he wanted to? Had they talked and flirted as they’d gone on the coffee run? He looked the same as always, but something inside of me felt different when I looked at him.

I pushed that nonsense away and said, “Nowhere. Do you have time to open my present before Mock Trial?”

He turned away from me and reached into his locker while saying, “Only if you have time to open mine.”

That made me tease, “IguessI can find a moment.”

The first package he gave me was a rectangular box—obviously chocolates. I ripped off the paper, then smiled at him. “My favorite dinner—thank you.”

“Of course,” he said, covering his heart with both of his hands. “Sweets for the sweet.”

“Andfromthe sweet,” I added, grinning because it was romantic and also the perfect words to be said on the perfect Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself, but it felt like I might just be getting it right.

“Now this, my sweet,” he said, holding out a small square box.

I exhaled on a laugh, caught up in his smile and the festivity of the gifts. I pulled open the white gift box, and nestled inside was a silver bracelet. I raised my eyes to his, and he was grinning expectantly.

I waited for an explanation, but after two seconds of smiling blankly at him, I squealed, “Omigosh, Josh, I love it so much—thank you!”

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