Page 60 of Wrecked

“Scouting for what?” she asks, her perfectly white teeth glowing in the dark.

“Oh, nothing, nothing.” Drumming my fingers on the ledge, I look down the lanes until I find the two lovebirds engaging in a little bowling alley foreplay.

Jessica is pulling the you-bowl-so-well-please-show-me-how move. I roll my eyes. What’s worse is that Adam’s falling for it. He takes a step behind her, and with his body molded to hers, he guides her into perfect bowling form.

“I’ll need a lane. Preferably lane three or five.”

“They’re both taken. You’ll have to wait at least two hours.”

“Two hours? That’s ridiculous.” I look back over to lane four where Jessica is hugging Adam after hitting a pin. Yes, just one single pin. “Whatever. Put me down. I’ll wait.”

“Okay, what size are you?” She’s looking back at me with these bright brown eyes and luxurious dark hair and pointing to the rows of unattractive plastic-looking shoes, which have been worn by hundreds of strangers, lined up behind her.

“There is no way I’m wearing those.” I point to my squeaky white Keds. “These’ll do.”

Her pink lipstick highlights her flawless skin. She leans forward with a pointed finger and says, “When I go into your bar, I play by your rules. My alley, my rules. So, if you wanna bowl, you have to wear the shoes.”

With a pinched face, I sneer at her. “Fine. Size seven.”

“Leah?”

A familiar voice says from behind me. I turn around to see Suzanne and Rory.

“Hey, guys! Do you have a lane already?”

They slowly nod their heads. I practically jump. This is so perfect. I can bowl with them and not look like the crazy lady who is bowling solo.

“Who’s ready to go bowling?” I say with an excited squeal and a shimmy shake.

Suzanne is staring at me with the most confused look on her face. “You don’t bowl,” she deadpans.

“Of course I do,” I say. I take the ugly bowling shoes from Carolína. “And look! I get to wear these super-adorable shoes!”

Suzanne folds her arms. “What’s going on with you?”

“You’re always saying that I need to have some fun while I can. Tonight’s my night off, and I decided to try my hand at bowling.”

Unsure of my honesty, Suzanne looks around the room. Hopefully, she won’t look over at lane four. If I’m lucky, she’ll look the other way.

Nope. She’s looking down the lanes.

Yep. She’s just spotted Adam and Jessica.

“No!” Suzanne demands.

“Sue—”

“We talked about this. Stay away from him.”

“I am.”

She taps her foot, and her reprimanding face is on in full force.

“Okay, fine,” I give in. “I just want to take a peek. See if they need help with getting to know each other.”

She loosens up her arms and grabs me by the elbow, ushering me away from Carolína and Rory. With a hushed voice, she says, “Look, I know what you’re doing, and it’s going to do nothing but get one of you hurt. Besides, even you said that they would be great for each other. Just let them be, Leah. Okay? Can you do that?”

I roll my head and look up at the ceiling. I let out a pout. I hate when she’s right. “Yes, I can do that.” I place the shoes back on the counter. “Killjoy.”