Page 47 of Organized Chaos

Phillip brushed hair away from her sweaty forehead. “Sorry I didn’t stop you in time.”

“I probably would’ve tried it anyway.” She lifted one shoulder, knowing the truth. “I like challenges.”

“Well, that’s why they make them.” The woman from behind the counter stood behind Phillip. She looked Sarah up and down, smacking a piece of gum the whole time. “If you’d gotten a recording of that, you’d go viral in an hour.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Phillip warned with an upraised finger. Mischief danced behind the warning. “I’m not eating anything hot. Not even for internet fame.”

“Oh, come on.” She waved a hand at her face. “This is a great look. Swollen eyes. Red lips. Who could resist this?” She caught a glimpse of herself in the glass door. “Yeesh. I look like a cross between swamp thing and Pippy Longstocking.”

“And I do podcasts, not videos.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Maybe you could make this part of your new channel. You could try to paint while eating hot foods.”

“I think I’ll stick with making a mess in the garage and watching you get annoyed because I mixed the paint colors wrong.” She hiccupped and a flare of heat raced up her throat. “Ugh. That’s so gross.”

“Are you okay? Do you want to go back home?” Phillip helped her down the aisles and back to the register at the front of the store.

Her eyes stopped tearing up, but her vison remained blurry at the edges. She gripped Phillip with one hand and the milk with the other to keep from rubbing her eyes. “I’m fine.” It sounded more like “I find” thanks to the stuffy nose and swollen tongue, but he seemed to understand.

“We can wait until you’re better,” he insisted while paying for the milk and heading outside.

She ducked her head to keep the sun from blinding her. “Lead on. It’s all part of my charm. If you can put up with this, you can handle anything I throw your way.”

“You do know how to make a day challenging.” Phillip kept hold of her until she was settled in the truck again. “Let’s see if we can make it to the lake without any other mishaps.” He wagged a finger at her bag. “Maybe stick with granola bars from now on.”

“Oh, trust me. I’ve learned my lesson.” She sloshed the milk jug side to side. “You know, this reminds me of us. Fire and milk. They don’t really go together, but somehow they need each other.”

Phillip cocked his head to the side and examined her. “I think the gummy bear went to your brain.”

“Oh, hush.” She crossed her arms and scrunched down in the seat. “I’m ready to forget this ever happened.”

“I’m not.” He used a clean napkin to wipe her eyes.

Finally she could see him clearly again.

He gave her such a tender look that she melted right then and there.

“I’m never going to forget any of this.” His words were a promise that she held onto for the rest of the drive to the lake.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Sarah managed to contain her excitement when she saw all her family and many of her friends waiting for them at the lake. Her parents stood together under the tree where Phillip had almost fallen. They clasped hands and beamed at her. She eyed Phillip from the side, curious what he’d told them since she’d barely introduced them to each other. She knew more about his parents than he could possibly know about hers.

That didn’t seem to have stopped him.

“What have you done?” She took his hand and forced him to stop before they joined the obvious party waiting for them.

His grin hitched into a full-blown smile. “I combined who you are with who I am and planned a spontaneous party.” He waved a hand toward the lake. “I even bought a canoe.”

“How did you do all this in one night?” She shook her head as amazement ran through her.

He squeezed her hand. “You’d be amazed what a person can do with the right motivation.”

“Sarah, what happened?” Her mother rushed over and grabbed Sarah’s face. “Are you okay?”

Ugh. In the excitement of seeing everyone, she’d forgotten about her little snafu with the gummy bear. “I’m fine.” She patted her mom’s hands and leaned in for a quick hug.

Dad shook hands with Phillip, and the two exchanged a glance that sent prickles of curiosity along Sarah’s neck. She angled her head toward Mom. “What are they up to?”

“Never you mind about that.” Mom clicked her tongue but before she could say anything, Dad took her elbow and drew her back.

---