I smirk. “Shut up.”
As we reach the glass doors that lead into the parking lot, it’s clear today’s weather has taken a turn from sunny and pretty to ugly and gross.
“Ughhh,” I say as we watch the dark clouds light up with a streak of lightning. Thunder cracks and the leaves on nearby trees blow. “There’s no way I can walk home before it starts raining.” I pull out my phone and unlock the screen. “Hopefully there’s no customers at the store so Mom can come get me real fast.”
“I’ll drive you home,” Jonah says. His car keys are already in his hand and he gives them a shake. “My car is totally rainproof inside.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a dork.”
“A dork with a car.” He pushes open the door and holds it for me to walk outside. “Come on, I’ll drive you.”
“I can’t bum a ride off you,” I say as I reluctantly step outside into the cool windy air. “I’ll just jog home and maybe I’ll beat the rain.”
“Absolutely not.” Jonah hooks his arm through mine and tugs me along. “I’m happy to give you a ride. Actually…” he turns to me, looking down a little since he’s taller than I am. I’m so close to him I can smell his soapy skin and see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes. Since our arms are halfway linked, my hand reaches up on its own and grabs his bicep. He flexes it just a little when I touch him, either on purpose or on reflex.
“Actually what?” I say, realizing he never finished his sentence.
“I think we should go get frozen yogurt, if you’re up for it. It can be a celebration of being halfway through tutorials.”
I can’t think of anything better than spending more time with Jonah right now. Mom needs me at the store, but she can wait another half an hour. It’s not like we’re ever busy on Tuesdays.
“Okay,” I say with a grin. “Sounds fun.”
Jonah’s car smells like leather and Armor All. He’s a good driver who doesn’t take the turns too fast like Caleb did. He talk about school to pass the time, but I wish we’d get back to more important topics, like what kind of girl he wants to date.
We fill our own cups of yogurt and add toppings. I choose cherry flavor with dark chocolate chips and coconut shreds. Jonah gets the birthday cake flavor, saying it’s so good it doesn’t need any toppings, but then he covers it with sprinkles, brownie bites, and whipped cream anyway. When we get to the register, I set mine down and reach for my wallet.
“I’m buying,” Jonah says, handing over some money to the cashier, a tall girl who looks like she’s fed up with working here.
“What? No,” I say. “I’ll buy my own.”
He shoves my hand away. “We’re celebrating,” he says, standing straighter which makes him seem much taller. “Let me celebrate you. Please?”
“Aww,” the cashier says as her grumpy expression breaks into a smile. “That issosweet.”
“Okay,” I say, relenting and putting my wallet back in my backpack. “Thank you.”
He grins and holds out my yogurt for me. “You’re welcome.”
We make our way to a table in the corner of the room, right next to the window that shows the darkened sky that still hasn’t opened up with rain yet. I watch Jonah as he moves his spoon around, flattening the whipped cream and then stabbing it. Now that I know Jonah for the person he is, he’s not some brainy nerd like I first assumed when I met him. He’s cute, and sweet, and he celebrates little things like halfway points in tutoring.It makes my heart beat in this crooked way, and suddenly I’m wishing I was the kind of girl that’s good enough to date a guy like Jonah.
“I’m glad we’re friends,” I say, looking up at him.Please say something, I think.Don’t just let me get away with calling us friends. Say you want to be more.
His smile reveals his shiny white teeth, and that little crinkle in his eyes. “I’m glad we’re friends too.”
Chapter 19
I see Mom glaring at me through the window as I approach the Magpie. At first, I think it’s just a trick of the light, and her face looks angrier than it really is, but once I rush inside, leaving the pouring rain behind me, I can tell for sure she’s pissed. I just don’t know why.
She’s standing behind the front counter, her hair pulled into a messy bun with strands hanging down her face. Thin lines crease her forehead and her eyes are narrowed and looking right at me.
“Hey,” I say, acting like I can’t see the annoyance in her expression. I set my backpack down behind the front counter and look at the store. “Wow, there’s actually shoppers here.”
“A dozen of them,” Mom says. “Why are you late? You’re never late.”
“Oh…I had tutorials—”
Mom rolls her eyes to the ceiling. “I know about the tutorials. I’ve been filling in for you for a month now. Today you’re forty-five minutes later than usual and we’ve beenbusy.” She gestures toward the door where the sky is darker than ever and the rain is really pouring now. I managed to get from Jonah’s car to the store without getting too wet by sticking to the overhanging eaves that line the boardwalk stores.
