Page 29 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
“What was that all about?” Ava sidles up beside me.
Bek is far more obvious. I can practically see her little fairy wings beating a million miles a minute as she hovers excitedly next to me.
“What?” I play dumb.
Ava gives me a significant look and Bek squeaks.
I laugh and tell them about the conversation we had. I even pull up the picture I took of him scowling to prove to him that he did it.
Ava laughs. “I love that you did this.”
Bek sighs. “I hope it doesn’t make him self-conscious.”
“Can you believe he’s here?” I whisper. I think David’ssister is trying to eavesdrop. She’s a couple years behind us at Oak Grove High, so I don’t want her to hear. I lean in closer and lower my volume even more. “I wonder how he knows Chris.”
“Sounds like something you’ll have to ask.” Ava waggles her eyebrows.
“Good idea, smarty pants,” I say. “When did you become so good at the art of flirting.”
Ava stops acting coy. “Isn’t that just making conversation?”
I blow out a breath. “Depends on how you deliver it, I guess.”
Bek, Ava, and I help Chris unload his stuff. By the time we’re done, the pizza arrives and I’m the hero of the hour because everybody is starving. Chris brought a tattered loveseat to add to the living room, so a few people get to sit on furniture, but the rest of us crash on the floor, happy to be off our achy feet. David’s mom digs through boxes until she pulls out almost enough glasses and mugs for everybody to pour themselves soda. Ava, Bek, and I share a mug. The three of us are seated on the floor in the dining area, leaning against the walls. David’s sister and brother are with us. Brent settles his long, graceful body across from me and next to Bek. When I need another piece of pizza, I just grab a box and put it on the floor in the middle of our circle. Everybody digs in for more at once, and Brent’s fingers brush mine. We share a laugh, but I’m disappointed when I don’t see any other emotion in his gaze. Clearly, he didn’t feel the electric sizzle of awareness I felt.
I’ve stuffed myself full and am forced to lean back to make room for my stomach. It looks like everybody else is done too. David’s family thanks me for the pizza and they say their goodbyes. Ava and Bek make an excuse to move into the living room, and I shift until I’m sitting next to Brent, leaning back on myhands, with my legs straight in front of me, crossed at the ankles. It’s a better position for my stuffed tummy.
“What a surprise to see you here,” I say.
“You too. I didn’t put two and two together about Ava being Joel’s sister and you and Ava being close friends.”
“Amazingly, I don’t really know Joel well. So, I was surprised when they asked Bek and me to help today.” Brent stares down at the floor at something, so I study his profile. His ski-slope nose and sharp cheekbones are more defined from the side than from the front. His lips too. Wow. What nice lips he has. “How do you know Chris?”
“Track. I know Joel too, but not as well.”
“I didn’t know you did track.” I squint at him. “Your movements are so fluid and graceful. That doesn’t come from running though, does it? Have you done dance or another sport?”
His eyebrows arch and he peeks at me from under his bangs. “Graceful, really?”
I hum my agreement.
He shrugs. “No, I’ve only ever run. I’ve never had anyone call me graceful either. Or fluid for that matter. Awkward, yes. Lanky, yes.”
“Oh.” I stretch the word out as a realization strikes me. “You’re just now—” I stop, unable to say aloud what I now recognize, having two brothers who went through it too. He’s coming into himself. Getting used to a body that grew too fast. But that sounds really lame even though the thought of it makes me blush.
“What? I’m what?” he asks.
He’s curious, but not eager to know what I’m going to say. He’s still not really flirting either. This guy isn’t showing much interest in me even though we’re getting along better than when I first showed up at the bookstore. I’m beginning to wonder if he has an excellent poker face. There’s only oneway to find out. I take a deep breath and decide to play my hand. “Do you want to go to dinner with me?”
He straightens. “Me?”
I look around. “You’re the only one here.”
“And you?”
I squint. Not sure how to answer, I nod.
“Tonight?”
