“Oh yeah?” I say, clearing my throat. Do I want him to feel comfortable talking to me or not? I honestly can’t decide. In three years, he’s never once brought up girls in this way. I am most definitely not prepared.
“She’s cool. I mean, like, smart. And really good at volleyball. And nice. We talk sometimes, and she likes my jokes.” He takes another bite of ice cream, and then his shoulders slump. “Our first school dance is coming up and I want to ask her to dance. But I’m scared she’ll say no. What do I do?”
Finally, he looks up at me, and the mixture of hope and dread is one I’m sure was on my face a time or two back in middle school. Wanting to be cool enough but also terrified.
I take a minute to try to figure out how the hell I’m gonna handle this. I can’t exactly come out and tell him that I’m a twenty-nine-year-old virgin who’s only been on a few dates, kissed three girls, and who got stood up at his prom the one and only time he was brave enough to ask a girl out in high school.
Yeah. That would scar him for life. Kinda like it did me.
“Well,” I start, then pause. “I mean, you gotta be bold, dude. If you want something, or someone, you gotta shoot your shot. Just remember, if she says no, that’s a final answer.”
There. That’s some good advice, right? Teaching confidence and consent? Fuck, I am the wrong man for this conversation. I rub my palms on my pants, hoping he doesn’t notice.
“If she says no, I’m gonna be so embarrassed,” Grayson says morosely. “Maybe I just shouldn’t ask. I mean, everyone would see her shoot me down and that would suck.”
“Oreveryone would see her say yes.” I lean over and nudge him with my shoulder. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re cool. She’d be lucky to dance with you.”
Grayson just huffs. “You have to say that.”
“I don’t have to do anything. Didn’t I promise you in the beginning I’d never lie to you?”
Maybe I don’t tell him everything, but I don’t lie.
He looks up at me. “Yeah.”
“Well, then, trust me. I don’t know who this girl is, but if you think she’s cool, then I’m sure she is. The thing is, so are you. And you’ll never know what could happen if you don’t put yourself out there.”
It’s not lost on me that I should have taken my own advice years ago. Before Lark ended up engaged. But coming between her and her boyfriend felt wrong, even if every instinct has always told me she’s not meant to be with him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Grayson take a deep breath in, then relax against the bench with his exhale. He slowly nods. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll ask her. You’re right, she’s probablynot gonna say no. We have a good time when we hang out, and it’s just a dance. No big deal.” He sounds more confident, but still nervous. I’m proud of him, and I give him a smile, even as I inwardly give myself a slap across the head. A freaking twelve-year-old has more game than I do.
This is why I’m still a virgin.
Dammit.
Chapter six
Lark
“So you’re not coming?” I try to keep the disappointment from my voice. It’s not as if Ienjoyspending time with my mother, but her apparent lack of interest in doing anything with me for this wedding still hurts.
“No, Lark.” She sounds distant and exasperated. Like always. “Your father and I have had plans with the Riordans for weeks. I can’t be expected to drop everything just to sample cake.”
I could fight back and tell her that most mothers would absolutely drop everything to help their only child plan their wedding. But then again, this is exactly what it’s always been like. I’m the lowest priority for my parents.
“Fine.”
“We’ll talk soon.”
That’s all I get before she hangs up, leaving me staring at the phone. I push off my couch and go to the kitchen to pour a glass of water. Now what? I don’t exactly want to go cake tasting alone.
I consider asking Willow if she wants to join me, but then I remember her mentioning she has plans with her boyfriendRonan and his daughter Peyton.
Before I can overthink it, I type out a text to someone I at least know I’ll have a good time with.
LARK: How do you feel about free cake?
DAN: How is that even a question…
