Page 16 of Date Notes

A slow smile snaked its way onto Scarlett's lips. “By being my sweet, charming self, of course.” She batted her eyelashes, then laughed.

“Right. Because I’m sure being myself will win her over, just like that.” I snapped my fingers.

“Dude, all you have to do is be genuine. It’s the one thing Royals don’t have because they’re so worried about their reputation and maintaining their superiority over us minions they forget to be real. It’s what makes them disingenuous, and if Ella is worth it, she’ll notice, no matter how hard Luca comes at her.”

Standing, she yanked me up and pushed me down a riser, forcing me off the bleachers.

Panicked, my eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

“I’m kicking you out of your seat. What does it look like I’m doing? You can’t win her over sitting here with me.”

“But she’s with people.”

“Well, now she’s gonna be with you as well.” With a grin, she yanked me by the arm and dragged me along until she was only a couple feet away from Ella. A giant shove, and I was right in her line of sight, too close to escape without notice.

Several heads turned toward me, and when I glanced back at Scarlett helplessly, she mouthed, “You’re welcome,” then spun on her heel and headed back to her seat.

My heart rattled my ribs like a cage as I took a deep breath and stumbled closer until I stood directly in front of her.

Ella stopped mid-sentence and glanced over at me, and I held my breath. Only when she broke out in a smile did I allow myself an exhale. “Barry, I’m so glad to see you here!”

All the boys around her turned, sizing me up, and I could practically see the relief in their expressions. But when she stepped farther away from them, closer to me, their smiles slowly faded. Their confusion was almost comical.

“So you came to the game?” She rolled her eyes at herself. “You’re here. Of course you came to the game, but it’s a surprise.”

I shrugged.

“Was it your love of baseball?” She winked.

Just be genuine, Scarlett’s voice echoed in my head.

“Sports aren’t exactly my thing,” I admitted, hating the truth, because it made me sound boring. Maybe if I were more athletic, I’d be cooler and have more confidence. Maybe I wouldn’t have so much trouble talking to girls.

“I had a feeling that might be the case.”

I winced, because clearly she thought I was a total dork. “Am I that obvious?”

She brought her index finger and thumb a hair apart, her dark eyes teasing. “Maybe just a little,” she said, and I couldn’t help but wonder if our banter constituted flirting. Probably not, I decided.

Before I could respond, a girl with hair the color of a summer sunset sidled up beside her, her gaze focused on the dugout. “Ugh. The testosterone in this place is stifling.”

Ella rolled her eyes, then turned to her and brightened as she made introductions. “Mia, this is my friend, Barry. And Barry, this is my sister, Mia. She’s a junior.”

My mind flashed back to the other day when JT and Luca walked in the bakery, and I wondered if they would find her unconventional looks as attractive as Ella’s hot girl-next-door vibe.

“Hi.” I raised my hand awkwardly in a wave, and her eyes swept over me with disinterest. “Not a fan of baseball either, I take it?”

“Gouging my eyes out sounds more appealing than watching this game,” she said, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Ella glanced between us, eyes brightening as her lips curled into a grin, and there was something about the way she looked at us that made me uneasy. But when she bounced on her toes and slung an arm over my shoulder, I forgot all about it. “Come on, let’s take a seat,” she said to Mia. Then she turned to me. “Barry, you’ll join us, won’t you?”

Chapter 6

ELLA

Icouldn’twipethesmile from my face as we traversed the stadium. Barry and Mia were perfect for each other, and what better way for them to connect than over their mutual hatred of jocks? Now if I could only get Mia to really and truly give him a chance . . .

We mounted the bleachers, and much to my dismay, Mia sat on my right, while Barry took my left. Pretending to squint toward the field with an acting ability that deserved an Academy Award, I said, “Mia, why don’t you sit to Barry’s left? The high fence in this area is kind of distracting.”

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