Page 33 of Chasing Stars
I rushed home, rinsed the salt water off my body, and threw on a pair of jeans and a navy blue thermal. I didn’t so much as glance in the mirror before running over here. Now I wish I had.
Leo spots me from across the bar. “Yo! Miles!” he shouts.
Jenna’s smile falters.She really must not like me.
I take a deep breath and walk toward them. My confidence is in the toilet. I have never felt this insecure around a woman before. I hate it. “What’s up, guys?” I say as I reach their table. “Hi, Jenna.” I look directly at her.
She meets my gaze, and her cheeks flush. “Hey, Miles,” she says quietly.
No one speaks for what feels like an eternity. “Where’s everybody else?” I ask Leo.
“Bailed. Naturally.” Leo shrugs. “Kids and shit.” He scoffs.
I force a laugh, but the awkwardness that has fallen over their table since I arrived is palpable. “Got it,” I mutter. Figures my married friends bailed. They always do. If Jenna wasn’t here, I would have bailed too. “Well, I haven’t eaten, so I don’t know how much I want to drink,” I admit.
“You? Not drinking?” Leo roars. “What, are you pregnant?”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t saynotdrinking. I just have to get something from the food truck first,” I clarify, my gaze settling on Jenna.
“Oh, you must’ve worked up an appetite surfing,” Joy teases, flicking her gaze between Jenna and me.
“You were surfing?” Jenna squeaks.
“Yeah,” I say, and nothing more.
“But it’s so dark out,” Jenna insists, concern clouding her face.
Leo barks out a laugh. “Yeah. When we were fifteen, Miles almost drowned surfing in a hurricane. Ever since, he tempts fate every chance he gets.” He rolls his eyes, willing me to take his bait.
Jenna’s jaw falls open, and I’m not sure if she’s reacting to Leo’s revelation or my night surfing. Either way, it sends a rush of warmth straight through me.
My eyes flick to hers. “I told you, I love to surf at night.” My voice comes out husky.
“Yeah. But I thought you were just trying to impress me. Miles, that’sreallydangerous, surfing in the dark like that.” Jenna frowns.
“You don’t need to worry about me. Besides, it’s notthatdark,” I reply curtly. It sounds harsher than I mean it to. Jenna’s cheeks redden, and the expression on her face is unreadable, but she doesn’t reply. “I’m going to get something from the truck. I’ll be right back,” I mutter, turning to walk away.
“Wait.” Jenna’s voice stops me in my tracks. “I’ll come with you. I haven’t eaten either, and I’ve already had too much beer.”
“Okay.” I start walking.
I hold the door open for her, and she ducks under my arm, turning back to look at me with a smile I can’t read. We approach the food truck in silence. It’s dark outside, but the area is well lit. The air is crisp and cool, reminding me that these nice outdoor evenings are numbered. I quietly peruse the chalkboard menu while Jenna bounces back and forth on her feet, like she’s cold.
“Are you cold or do you just like dancing around?” I smirk, running my hands through my surf hair.
“I’m cold. Well, cold and nervous maybe,” Jenna admits, looking down at her feet.
When she looks up again, our eyes lock. Her cheeks are pink and flushed. Pink cheeks, pink earlobes, luscious pink lips. I wonder just how much she’s had to drink. My lips twitch with amusement. “Why are you nervous?” I haven’t been alone with Jenna in days and to be honest, I’m nervous too. But this is the last thing I expected to hear from her tonight. She’s been avoiding me for a week. I’m confused to say the least.
“Youmake me nervous, Miles.” Jenna pushes my shoulder with the palm of her hand, sending an electric jolt down my arm.
“Me?” I scoff. “Please. I think you’re just tipsy. I’m a puppy dog,” I banter back. It’s the only way to swallow the irritation rising in my throat. I have to make light of it so I’m not a jerk.I will not be rude to Jenna.I repeat the mantra in my mind. I just can’t take the hot and cold with her. It leaves me feeling like I’m floundering.
“I’m not.” She shakes her head.
“You’ve been ignoring me for days, Jenna,” I say carefully. It’s hard to remain coherent when I’m this close to her.
“I have not,” Jenna replies, crossing her arms.
