Page 15 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
I give Bek an appreciative smile while Ava carefully tears the paper open.
“Oh my god, Sam. This is amazing. How did you know?” She looks at Bek. “Have I said something about this book, or something?”
I perk up. “So, it’s a good choice?”
“Yeah, it’s great!” She fans through the pages. “I don’t get it…”
She comes to the gift receipt stuck into the book at the beginning of chapter one, along with a bookmark for Beckett’s. And she grins. “Oh my gosh, Sam. You went to see Bookstore Boy!”
I bury my face in my hands and squeal. “I’ve been twice.”
“What!” Ava cries. “Why am I just now hearing about it?”
I slap my hands into my lap and whine. “You’ve been so busy!”
“Hello. Text.” She waves her phone in the air.
There’s a knock on my bedroom door just before Mom and Dad push through.
“There was a pizza delivered for you.” Dad holds the box over his shoulder, balanced on the tips of his fingers like a waiter with a tray.
Mom carries an actual tray ladened with three tall glasses filled with ice and sparkling water. From the fruit garnish, I’m guessing they are raspberry-flavored waters.
“Very fancy, Mrs. Jones,” Ava says. “Thank you.”
“There aren’t any anchovies on that pizza, are there, Mr. Jones?” Bek asks.
I point at Bek and look at Mom with wide eyes. She chuckles.
“Never, Bek. No anchovies can enter this house. We had a special anchovy ward installed years ago by a local wizard when you discovered your fish allergy.”
“You did?” Bek’s eyes are wide with wonder.
Indecision crosses Dad’s face and I laugh out loud. “We did, Bek.”
She looks at me. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“Uhhhh…” I shrug.
Now Ava, Mom, and Dad are laughingtoo.
Bek looks at Dad in all seriousness. “Thank you, Mr. Jones. That means a lot to me.”
His laugh fades into an unsure smile. His brow is knit. He clearly has no idea if Bek is serious or not. Welcome to my world, Dad.
Mom unloads some paper plates and napkins from the tray. “We’re going out with the Houstons tonight. We’re trying that new Asian fusion restaurant.”
Dad looks at Bek. “They definitely serve fish there.”
She shrinks into the ball chair like he held an anchovy in front of her face. “I won’t be visiting that place, thank you.”
“Girls?” Mom looks from Ava to Bek. “Do you have anything to wear to the wedding? It’s formal, you know.”
Bek nods but Ava bites her lip.
“I realize it’s still months away, but if you’d like for me to take you shopping, I’m happy to,” Mom offers.
Her generosity makes my heart swell. But the shuttered expression on Ava’s face makes me bite my lip.
