Page 7 of Hers to Kiss
Chapter 3
“Would you get out of the way, Petey?” Keke shoved past him, making him drop a few toiletries onto the floor.
Pete fumbled with his pillows and blankets, opting to put them on a nearby bed before picking up the toiletries. He rose from the floor, Keke’s Cheshire cat grin making his neck heat.
“Mmm-hmm,” she said.
He didn’t have to be smart to guess her thoughts. He had always turned into an awkward, clumsy mute around a pretty girl.
Pete cautiously glanced at the blonde while fumbling with the toiletries. He cursed his crippling shyness.
“Hi! I’m Lea.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and presented a massive grin.
Pete was in love.
Or whatever defined the really warm, squishy feeling inside that had him wishing this girl would never stop smiling at him. “Uh, yeah, I’m…I’m…”
“This is Petey,” Keke said, giving him a “you’re so weird” look. “And I’m Keke.”
Pete shot Keke a scowl at using his nickname.
Lea shook Keke’s hand first and then faced Pete. Her grin widened. “Petey? That’s so adorable. I love it.”
And he didn’t hate it anymore.
“Are you the Headleys’ son?”
“Uh, yeah.”
Why did he have to sound like a moron? He got into Cornell, for crying out loud.
“Well, it’s really nice to meet you.” Lea took his hand and shook it once. “I’m really grateful that your parents gave me this job last minute. I thought I was going to head off into a summer fellowship right before the fall semester, but it got pushed a couple of weeks. I figured it’s probably a good idea to work while I wait.”
“Yeah, uh, that’s smart.”
Yeah, uh, you sound dumb.Pete grunted and began putting the sheets and pillows on the empty beds.
“Are you a freshman?” Keke asked.
“Uh-huh. I am. I’m so excited.”
She did a little hop that reminded Pete of the cute baby bunnies he’d sometimes see in the backyard—whenever he actually looked away from a computer screen and out a window.
“What are you studying?” Keke asked.
“Biology. Marine biology, actually. I love all things animals but especially those that live in water. Since we really don’t have any significant bodies of water around here, the forest is the next best place to experience nature.”
“Or an aquarium,” Keke mumbled.
Lea blinked. “I’m sorry?”
Pete recognized Keke’s fake smile. “Nothing. Glad you could join us.”
“You’ve worked here before?”
Keke nodded. “I was a counselor my junior and senior years in high school.”
“Are you a freshman too?” Lea asked, her hands clasped in front of her chest.
