Page 79 of Romancing the Grump

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What’s that?

Summer

I still haven’t found the perfect joke.

Nathan

I’ve noticed. Was just thinking I might not ever smile again.

Summer

I’ve been watching for a smile, hoping I’ll catch it on the sly, but you guard those things closely. Makes me wonder what made you smile the first time.

Nathan

You know what made me smile.

Summer

Do I though?

Nathan

You were there.

Summer

Yes. But why? Why then? I mean, I know some of it you were playing up for the crowd. The glove on the glass—classic move, by the way. But the smile felt real.

Nathan

It was real.

Summer

Okay. So…why?

Nathan

Maybe just that I’ve never had someone at a game who was there just for me.

Besides my mom. And that’s not the same thing.

I know we were pretending. But it still felt good.

Also. You looked beautiful.

Saying that as a friend.

Summer

Right. Understood. Thanks for explaining.

You have a really great smile.

Saying that as a friend.

And I WON’T stop hunting for the perfect joke.

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