Page 21 of New River Gorge(ous)
“I got asked to the homecoming dance by Shane.”
Shane’s name is squealed at such a high pitch it takes me a moment to figure out who asked her.
“Oh, wow! That’s so awesome. So, how did he ask you?”
Lizzy jumps into the whole elaborate dance proposal, and I try not to roll my eyes at the way she makes it sound like this is the start of true love.
“Did you go dress shopping yet?” I ask.
“No, I’m going with Mom on Saturday after the cross-country meet.”
“Well, you have to send me pictures of every dress. I want to cast my vote too.”
“Ok, but would youpleasetell Matt to make Joey ask Lara?”
“Me tell Matt to tell Joey to ask Lara?”
“Or maybe you just call Joey and tell him to ask Lara?”
“Your best friend, Lara?”
“Yeah, no one’s asked her, and I don’t want her to be left out.”
“Does Joey want to ask Lara?”
“I don’t know, but everyone listens to you. Please, Brooke, you’ll be my favorite sister forever and ever and ever.”
“I’m your only sister.”
“Yeah, but are you my favorite?”
I shake my head as I approach Billy’s run-down exterior. “I appreciate the attempt at bribery, but I can’t force anyone to do anything.” Lizzy sighs. “Just try for me?”
“I’ll try, but I have to run.”
“Oh, I hope you’re meeting a cute guy!”
I snort at my fifteen-year-old sister. “Ha. I’m getting Meemaw a cheeseburger.”
I start pushing the door just as she giggles. “With a side of cute guy, right?”
The door flings open with way more force than what I pushed it with, and I stumble forward. My phone drops and skates across the floor, and I find myself caught in the strong and toned arms of…
Dr. Beckett Whistler.
It’s hard to see in the dim interior of Billy’s, but the light from the door shows his chocolate eyes locked on my face and his mouth set in a deep frown.
His eyes flash with something as he looks me over from head to toe. “Are you hurt?” he asks, his voice low.
I shake my head, unnerved by the way my arms sizzle from the pressure he’s placing on my skin.
He swallows, then abruptly lets go. “Good,” he grumbles before pushing past me and out the door.
I shake my head, trying to make sense of whatever just happened. Meemaw’s neighbor and I are clearly destined to only have odd interactions, and never romantic ones—despite both Matt and Meemaw hinting otherwise.
My vision adjusts to the dim lighting just in time for a large man to approach me, holding my phone out. “Ma’am,” he says in a thick mountain accent. “You dropped this.”
I smile at him and gratefully accept the phone. “Thanks.” “So…” He draws out the ‘o’ and tips his head to the door ashe stuffs his hands into his front jeans pockets. “Do you know Beck?”
