Me:I don’t want to leave my friend
Gavin:Bring her
I glance back at him and he’s talking with TJ, who’s sitting next to him. He looks back over at me a moment later. He lifts an eyebrow and nods his head in a motion that’s telling me to join him.
I text him back.
Me:Big table of jocks isn’t my idea of a good lunch break
I watch him read my text from across the room. He laughs and then smacks one of his friends as they steal some fries off his lunch tray.
Gavin:Understandable.
Me:Are we still on for tonight?
Gavin:of course
I bite down on my lip to keep from smiling. What is this? What’s happening? I mean, to an outsider it would seem that the gorgeous Gavin Voss is flirting with me. But I’m scared to let myself bask in that feeling until I know it’s true.
Somehow, I manage to get through the rest of lunch without saying anything about him to Erin. It’s not that I don’t want her to know, but Livi is my best friend and I should tell her first. Which is exactly what I do the very second the final bell rings.
I rush out of my last class and head toward the hallway where Livi’s locker is. I meet her there right when she does and I grab her arm as she’s messing with her locker combination.
“I have news.”
“Did they catch the greenhouse guys?” She shoves her textbook into her locker and then slams the door closed.
“No, but this is better. Well…it’s good. It’s not better. We still need to find those guys, but this might actually help me do it.”
“Okay, I’m intrigued,” she says, looping her arm through mine as we make our way toward the bus lot.
“We have to be alone first,” I say. “Too many people could overhear right now.”
“Oh crap, now I have to know!”
I grin. “I’ve been dying to tell you all freaking day.”
As soon as we’re outside, I pull her to the edge of the bus pickup line. I glance around, and when no one is within earshot, I say, “I’m pretty sure Gavin Voss just asked me on, like, a date.”
Livi’s eyes go wide. “The soccer player? Tall guy?”
I nod eagerly. “Holy shit,” she breathes. “That’s amazing! I mean,duh. I know you’re beautiful and smart and perfect for any guy, but I’m just glad someone like him was smart enough to see it, too.”
“I love you and your loyalty,” I say with a laugh. “I am not that great. I don’t know why he did, but he asked if I want to hang out tonight and he’s going to pick me up at my house and everything.”
“Well, a date on a Wednesday is kind of awesome. It means he likes you so much he can’t wait until the weekend.”
My good mood falters. “Or it means he doesn’t like me that much and would rather save the weekend for hotter girls he likes more.”
She rolls her eyes. “No. If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t have asked you out. I bet he also wants to hang this weekend. Oh my God, I’m so excited for you!”
“Don’t say anything, okay?” I can feel my phone in my back pocket, but suddenly I want to check it, just to confirm that his texts earlier were real and not all in my imagination. “I don’t want people to think I’m making more out of it than it is.”
“Girl, I got you.” Livi wiggles her eyebrows. “You need to change your mindset. Gavin Voss is lucky to be seen with you. He should be begging to have your attention.”
I laugh. “Okay, sure, I can play pretend too.”
The teacher on duty yells out that everyone needs to hurry and get on the bus. Freaking school is always on a schedule, and I hardly ever see my best friend.
“I’ll tell you what happens,” I say as we rush to our buses.
“Every single detail!” Livi calls back to me.
I jog up the bus stairs and swing into an empty seat near the back. The whole ride home I can’t stop thinking about Gavin and our “hang out” session tonight. What will he want to do? Is it a date? Or will we watch TV at my house? What should I wear?
As much as I hope itisa date, and that Gavin actually likes me, I also don’t mind if it’s just a friend thing. Because for the first time since Shawn dumped me, I’m feeling hopeful about the idea of dating again. All those talks about broken hearts needing time are totally right. I feel healed now. Like I can fully move on and get excited about a guy again.
On top of all of this, Fate has handed me something extra special. A member of the soccer team. If I can just flirt enough to win him over, maybe he’ll tell me exactly what I want to know.
