Page 9 of Lost in You (Flirting with Forever 1)

Me: Like together, together.

Me: Otherwise, I’m just the loser who doesn’t have a boyfriend and had to ask an old friend to be her date to a wedding.

Ugh. Madison, how do you manage to get yourself into these messes? I wrap a towel around myself and head back to my bedroom where I slip into my panties and bra, then sit down on my bed to pull on my jeans and throw first my T-shirt and then my sweatshirt over my head.

Shawn: I understand perfectly well what we’d be doing. And you aren’t a loser, Madison.

I press my lips together. He’s being so damn nice I don’t know how to respond, so I don’t. I gather up my things and take off for school. The whole way there, my mind is all twisted up as I try to decide if I’m being silly or taking this too seriously or what. I can’t figure myself out.

Deciding I need help with this whole situation, I shoot off a quick message to Sophia.

Me: Can you come see me when you get to school?

Me: I think Shawn is coming with me to the wedding.

Me: I’m freaking out.

Sophia: Whaaaa? See you in a bit.

Upon entering the building, I wave at students, make small-talk with other teachers, and check my box in the office, all while inwardly panicking about whether or not to have Shawn come with me. Oh, and whether or not I still look like Rudolph. Ugh.

When I get to the library, I sit down behind my desk, exhaling loudly. I think I’m finally ready to give him the green light. I just hope I’m not getting in over my head.

Me: Okay. Think of all the things you’d know about me if we were together. We can discuss them on the drive. I’ll do the same.

Shawn: Logistics?

Me: Meet this afternoon, drive up, wedding is Saturday, late afternoon. Stay over again.

Shawn: So, two nights? What am I getting into?

Me: Crap. Is that too much to ask? I mean, we could come back—

Abort mission. Why did I think this was a good idea? Had I even mentioned to him that the trip was overnight? Over two nights?

“Hey, Madison. How’s the margarita brain this morning?”

My head shoots up to find Sophia perched on the other side of my desk. I guess I was so involved in the arrangements with Shawn that I hadn’t heard her sneak in like a quiet little cat.

I press one hand to my chest, gasping for air. “You scared me.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Whatcha doing there?” Her head bobs in the

direction of my phone.

I grimace. “Nothing really. Just talking to Shawn.”

“Nice. So, whose idea was this?”

I clamp my teeth together and suck in some air as I peer up at her. “Um. It was his …”

Her lips tip up into a grin. “It’s okay if you like him, you know. He’s a nice guy.”

I glance back down at my phone to see another response. I hold up a finger to Sophia. “Give me a sec.”

Shawn: I’m messing with you. I’m fine getting back on Sunday. I’ll make sure all the shifts at the bar are taken care of. No worries at all.

Me: See you after school, then. I’m done at one. I can come by the bar when I’m ready. Your car or mine?

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