Page 60 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
Next to him is one last poster, propped on an easel.
Samantha Jones likes for her grand gesture to be personalized.
Tears flood my eyes, distorting my vision. Though I want to run and throw myself at him, I keep my pace to a saunter and hope I at least look cool. Brent’s emerald eyes glitter with mischief as he watches me approach.
When I’m a couple steps away, I say, “This is indeed a grand gesture.”
Brent finally lowers the boombox and places it on the floor at his feet. My favorite song is still playing. Where did he even get an old radio like that? And how did he get a cassette tape with my favorite song? He must have made it himself since the song hasn’t even been out for a year yet.
He arches a single eyebrow, making my insides flutter. “But…is it personal enough?”
I stop in front of him and study his handsome face. Up close, I see how unsure he is about his plan, and I considergrabbing his shirt and pulling him to me so I can kiss him, but I don’t want to get distracted yet.
I nod. “How did you…?” I point toward the hall.
“I undertook the most extensive research project I’ve ever done. I’m thinking about making it my senior project.”
I purse my lips. The idea of being Brent’s senior project is not enticing.
“I’ve been studying you. Asking your friends about you. Dragging information out of the morons you dated before who didn’t understand how lucky they were. Analyzing your social media.”
“So, you’ve basically become my stalker? Because that isn’t so romantic.”
He rewards me with my favorite thing: his smile. “I would never, ever stalk you. I just took the time to get to know you. To read your story.” His chin drops toward his chest, and he toes the floor. “Honestly, Sam. I almost didn’t go through with this.”
I cock my head. “Why?”
“In order to pull this off, I became an investigative reporter. I interviewed friends, past dates, family—”
“Family?” I interrupt.
Brent nods. “Lincoln put me in touch with Ines and Bridget.”
My mouth drops open as I imagine him interviewing my sisters. But then I scold myself to stay on track. “So, after all that work, why did you almost toss it?”
Brent locks his gaze with mine and I’m suddenly sitting in a hot spring. His emerald eyes burble with emotion. “Everybody I spoke to—everybody, Sam—said how generous you are with yourself, your time, your love and friendship, your resources. I could go on and on about the things people said.”
When he falls quiet, I frown. “That’s nice to hear,but I still don’t understand why you almost abandoned this.” I hold my hands up and can’t help the pleased smile that curves my lips when I think about everything he did to put the grand gesture together. “This is amazing, Brent. This is hands down the most wonderful thing anyone has done for me. Why would you have tossed it?”
I realize his cheeks are blazing red, and I assume it is because of my praise.
“Sam, I will never forgive myself for the assumptions I made about you. And then when I was faced with the truth of you through my research, I realized I don’t even deserve you. I will never be good enough for you. The reason I ended up doing it is because you deserve it. You deserve to be seen and recognized for the amazing, generous, caring person you are. You deserve far better than me, but this is at least a start.”
I can’t speak. My heart hammers in my throat, complicated by the tears currently choking me. I swallow but it doesn’t help. I shake my head furiously to let Brent know I have thoughts and reactions to what he’s said, I just can’t verbalize them at the moment.
His brow creases with alarm and confusion. A crestfallen expression wipes away any concern and he nods. “I mean, I know. I missed any chance I might have had with you. Don’t worry. You don’t have to say anything.”
I grab his arm and shake my head again. “No, you idiot. That’s not it at all.” I smile through my tears. “I have two of the best friends.” I turn to indicate Ava and Bek, who I know are still watching, and I see Dylan standing next to Ava, his arm around her, and she leans into him. “Okay, three. And they’ve always been enough for me.”
Brent frowns at me. I rush to clarify. “They still are, they always will be. But what you’ve done to make this happen is by far the most special, thoughtful thing anyone has ever done. Not only did you go out of your way to learn everything, you listened to me. You heard me and you took action.”
Hope ignites in Brent’s eyes, but it’s still mixed with doubt. I take a step closer so that we are inches apart and I drop my voice so that only he can hear me. “Please, forgive yourself for only seeing the surface, social Sam. I’m responsible for her. I created her intentionally. But she’s moved on now, and in her place is a girl who isn’t always confident about herself, who never thinks she’s doing enough to help others, who loves to read and shop. That’s the Sam you’ve taken the time to know. And other than those three people behind me, you’re the only one who has put the effort into her. You’re good enough, Brent. You’re better than good enough.”
His gaze drops to my mouth and his husky whisper sends a shiver down my spine. “There’s one thing I didn’t think through in this plan of mine.”
“What?” I breathe.
“The school’s no p.d.a. policy.”
