Page 65 of When In Doubt

FREYA

Well, I’ve missed my chance anyway.

LUCI

You could always ask him out?

FREYA

I absolutely could not.

LUCI

What’s the worst that could happen?

FREYA

He could laugh in my face.

LUCI

Does that actually seem likely?

No, not really. I roll my eyes. Why does she always have to make a good point? I wish she would just blindly agree with all my nonsense. Like real friends do.

FREYA

I guess not.

LUCI

Then why not go for it?

FREYA

Because…

Because what if he says yes?

On Monday morning I’m turning to load the last bag of groceries into the trunk of my car when I jump, seeing it already in the air, a large hand lifting it out of the cart.

“Holy shit!” I gasp, stumbling back and knocking my head hard against the open top. “Ow! Fuck!”

“Jesus, Freya!” Oscar steps forward, dropping the bag into the trunk. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I wince, probing the back of my head with my fingers.

“Here, let me look at it.” He steps forward, placing his hands on my waist and turning me until my shoulder is pressed against his chest. My heartbeat picks up and he keeps one arm around me as the other moves my hair aside.

The brush of his fingertips against my skin sends sparks skittering across my whole body and I have to fight not to sink into the contact. It’s as if my nervous system is winding down, like it knows it’s safe to.

“Where did you hit?” I can feel the words against my ear.

I point out the spot, unable to speak, and he starts prodding it, pressing around the area with a confident touch.

“What are you doing here?” I feel a little dizzy, and not from hitting my head. Oscar’s close, so close I could tip my head forward and rest my nose against his neck if I wanted to, and the scent of his skin and soap has a warmth curling in my insides that I don’t know what to do with.

“Saw your car,” he says distractedly as his fingers gently press against my scalp. “Does that hurt?” I shake my head. “How about that?”