Page 35 of A Play For The Heart
going to longboards.
You, Nathalie, and Maren
should come.
I put my phone down and head towards my bedroom to change my clothes when my phone dings. I run back to the phone and unlock it. The speed at which I grab my phone could be considered concerning.
Sawyer:Sure! Just asked Maren and she said yes.
I’ll ask Nathalie, but I’m sure she’s down.
Sawyer:Oh, also.
I didn’t tell Maren that Jack is going to be there.
I felt it might sway her decision towards no,
based on their interaction last time.
Me:That’s probably for the best.
See you soon! :)
I text the group chat with Jack and Deon to let them know and to meet at Longboards in an hour. I move towards my closet and immediately begin to contemplate what I should wear. It needs to be casual since it's Longboards, but I also want to look good. Sawyer may have tried to play it off, but I saw her staring at me. Her eyes were glued to my body and it looked like she enjoyed the view. It boosted my ego, but it also gave me a small sliver of hope that she could be into me. She’s at least attracted to me. You can't fake the reaction she had. I want her to ogle me again. It wasn’t a part of my plan for her to see me in nothing but a towel, but the universe was looking out and it will 100% get a fruit basket for its help. Hell. I’ll even splurge on the tropical fruit.
The way she looked at me like she would devour me if she could gave me some confidence to invade her personal space while we baked. I was so close to saying fuck it and kissing her, but then her phone dinged, and it broke the moment, and she ran off pretty quickly after that. If we're both going to be drinking tonight, I’m going to use that to my advantage. Hopefully, by the end of the night, I'll know if Sawyer has feelings. And if she does, then I’m making my move.
I stroll into Longboards and scan the length of the bar. Jack and Deon lounge in a booth in the back of the room. I maneuver through the crowd of people, dodging a group of older women who are dressed in flowery outfits.
“Hey guys,” I say as I slip onto the bench beside Deon. They both greet me, then look at me expectantly.
“Why are you two looking at me like that?”
“Well, what’s your game plan?” Deon asks. Straight to the point, like always.
“My game plan?” I question, not realizing I needed to come up with one other than getting tipsy and hoping she spills that she’s into me. It felt foolproof to me. That is until these two asked about my plan. Now, it seems ridiculous. “I was just planning on drinking and hoping something would happen. No actual plan.” I shrug, hoping I come off as confident and calm.
“You need a game plan,” Jack nearly whines. “Oh! Occasionally, lean down and talk to her. Get in her personal space.”
“Yeah!” Deon agrees enthusiastically. Which is a surprising response. He is supposed to be the levelheaded one compared to Jack, not supporting his shenanigans. “And make sure she’s sitting right next to you, and let your thigh brush hers.”
“Exactly!” Jack exclaims, knocking his fist against the table, “And casually drape your hand behind her then play with her hair.”
“That might be too obvious,” Deon comments. Jack hums and the two of them toss ideas back and forth. Jack suggests feeding her pretzels and thankfully, Deon cuts him off before I do. Feeding her pretzels in the middle of the bar will do nothing except make everyone—myself included—uncomfortable.
I shake my head at the absurdity of the plan. Considering I hadn’t had a plan of my own, I can’t judge, but it sounds like it's straight from a Hallmark movie. I open my mouth to express that sentiment when the front door swings open and Sawyer walks in with Maren and Nathalie. I immediately shut my mouth and Jack nods his head up and down, rapidly agreeing to his ideas. I slide out of the booth and move towards the bar, where the three of them are ordering. Sawyer is telling the bartender the last drink of the order when I slide up next to her.
“Put that on my tab,” I say to the bartender, startling Sawyer at the same time.
“Jeez, Henry! You scared the shit out of me!” she yelps, her fist connecting with my bicep.
God damn. She must be working out. That kinda stings.
I chuckle at her response and say hello to Maren and Nathalie. Nathalie smiles at me, but when I look at Maren, she’s looking past me towards the booth.
Directly at Jack.
Uh oh.
