“I can have, like…one piece of candy and then it’s too much.”
“That makes sense. You’re already so sweet,” I say. I wouldn’t normally use a line like that on a girl, but I want to push our game into different territory. Plus, it might be just dumb enough to earn me a smile.
It does, and I could punch the air. It feels like a victory. She rolls her eyes, granted, but it’s affectionate. She’s not annoyed.
“Sweet? Jessie? More like sour. Like a Sour Patch Kid that’s only ten percent sweet,” Jade says.
“Wow, Jade. Wow.” Jessie turns to her, and though I can’t see her face I’d bet money I know exactly what expression she’s giving Jade.
Jade cackles.
“You drag me here and then drag me again. I think it’s time to go home.” Jessie looks at her empty wrist as if there’s a watch there, which there isn’t. “Look at the time—I’ve got an appointment to hang out with my actual best friend.” She starts to stand up, but Jade throws her arms around Jessie and pulls her back to sitting.
“Noo. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. You’re sweet like a, um…”
“Candy necklace?” I offer. It’s an obvious toss-out, but maybe it’ll open a door.
“Ew, those are so gross,” Jessie says, scrunching her nose. “They’re like chalk.”
I guess it wasn’t that obvious.
“Like a jar of honey,” Jade says, finally finishing her statement.
“Okay, now you’re just being obnoxious,” Jessie tells her. “We all know the truth. I’m more like a bitter chocolate, like, eighty-five percent dark chocolate.”
I open my mouth to protest. Bitter? No. Jessie is fun and sharp and witty and smart. God, she’s smart. “Dark chocolate is my favorite kind of chocolate,” I say, low enough that only Jessie can hear.
She glances at me, her gray eyes drinking me in. I hold her gaze, watching her understand what I’m saying. Her eyes dart away from me for just a second but then she brings them back up to mine, biting her bottom lip. That small movement sends blood straight to the lower half of my body. I remember those lips. They were so soft and knew exactly how to move against mine. I thought about kissing Jessie about a million times before that night, and none of it compared to the real thing. What I wouldn’t give to just lean over right now and…
“Are you here with friends?” Jade asks, breaking the spell.
“Yeah, they’re way down that way.” I point. “Bunch of my soccer buddies.”
“You’re welcome to sit with us as long as you like,” Jessie says. Her eyes dart to my lips again and back to my eyes.Holy shit. Is she thinking about kissing me too?
“Only if you make a beer run,” Jade says, and I tear my eyes away from Jessie to give Jade a nod and a thumbs-up.
“You got it,” I say and jump up. I feel a hand on my arm and turn back to see Jessie discarding the blanket she’s wrapped in. I stare at her hand, the warmth from her touch radiating through my whole arm. I almost reach out and put my other hand on top of hers, but she pulls away before I can.
“Wait. I’ll come with you. I’m too cold just sitting here.”
It takes me a second to register her offer. I fully expected to go alone, but this is much better. This is perfect, actually, because now I’ll have my chance to say something about the Halloween party.
The crowd has mostly settled, everyone crammed into seats or standing in the bleachers since the game has started. I know Jessie isn’t bummed about missing it, and truth be told, I’m not either. Not because I don’t like sports, but the prospect of getting some time with Jessie is a more intriguing pull than the game.
“Bring back nachos!” Jade yells after us, and I give her another thumbs-up.
I step to the side and let Jessie go in front of me. It only takes me about ten seconds to feel good about my choice because somehow Jessie manages to step strangely on the bleachers and pitches backward. I reach out, catching her under her arms before she slams her head on the metal bleachers. Her back is against my chest and she’s close enough that I catch a trace of vanilla, Jessie’s signature scent. We both stay perfectly still for a second that feels like an hour, Jessie’s breathing and my thudding heart tuning out the roaring crowd, the football announcer, the cheerleaders…
“Thank god you were there,” she says, half-whispered between breaths. Being this close to her again is making me a little lightheaded, but I’ve got to keep it together since I’m the one holding her steady.
“Are you okay?”
“Your reflexes are so good. I think I’m just startled. I’m not injured.”
I help right her, and as she descends the steps I hover my hand behind her just in case. Even when we’ve cleared the bleachers and made it to the concessions line, I stay close, keeping my hands loose despite the cold, in case she trips again.
The lines for beer are long, and we have a little time to kill. I’m about to bring up Halloween when she turns to me.
