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Wyatt
Me:I’ll get you those additional episodes by next week
Cole:Great. The more you have ready to upload, the easier it’ll be in the future
Me:You sure you can get this all done by FanCon?
Cole:It’ll get done. I just won’t sleep for the next few weeks
Cole:Sleep’s overrated anyway
Cole:Good luck for your big talk with Everly
Me:Any advice?
Cole:Don’t screw this up
Great. Thanks.
Last night’s planning session started out with Cole and me reviewing his WebComics app and my first ten completed StarFire episodes, but it had morphed into a long conversation about Everly. I’d caught him up with everything that happened, about my brother asking her out, despite knowing that I liked her, and then cheating on her. I’d also told Cole about her bad dates and how I planned to confess how I felt the next day.
I woke up feeling equal parts nervous and excited. This was it. Today’s conversation could change everything.
To keep my mind off our upcoming date, I focused on planning future StarFire episodes. Deep in the creative process, I lost track of time until someone knocked on my door.
“Coming,” I called out as I crossed the room. Shoot. Was it five already? I glanced down at my sweatshirt and jeans and rubbed a hand over my face. I’d planned on shaving and changing into a nicer outfit before Everly came over but ran out of time.
With my hand resting on the doorknob, I hesitated, remembering the photo of Everly and my brother on the red carpet. My appearance would have appalled Lukas. He never stepped out unless clean-shaven and well dressed, every strand of hair neatly in place. Was that the type of guy Ev preferred? Someone more put together, someone with a bit more polish?
There was another knock on the door as Everly called out, “Wyatt?”
“Right here.” I opened the door.
Everly scanned my outfit and smiled. “Good. You’re dressed perfectly.” She reached out and ran a hand over my cheek. “And you didn’t shave.”
Her touch was light, sending my nerves exploding like firecrackers on the Fourth of July. Forget whatever surprise outing Ev had planned—there wouldn’t be a date if she kept touching me. I’d tell her how I felt right now and then claim her sweet mouth with mine.
Everly’s eyes widened and she snatched her hand back. “Sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
Guess my girl liked the unshaven look. I gently tugged one of her braids with a smirk. “Don’t worry about it. You have my permission to touch me whenever you want.” Enjoying the sight of her face flushing even pinker, I placed an arm around her waist and stepped outside. “Where are we going? You haven’t even given me a clue since your mysterious texts last night.”
Regaining her composure, Everly smiled. “How do you feel about hikes?”
“Love them,” I said, locking the door.
“And how about small furry animals?”
“I enjoy them too.” Warning bells sounded in my mind. Hmm, judging from the mischievous look in her eyes, we probably weren’t talking about bunnies and squirrels here.
“Wonderful. What did you do for Halloween?”
We made our way down the hill toward her parents’ house. “Cole and I discussed my webcomic, and I did some preparation for my talk at FanCon. How was Halloweenpalooza? Did the Sanderson sisters bewitch the neighborhood?”
Everly’s smile turned radiant, her excitement infectious. “It went even better than expected. We almost ran out of candy.”
When we reached her Prius I slowed, expecting to get in, but Everly continued walking past. Surprised, I lengthened my stride to catch up. “When you said we’d meet here, I assumed that meant we’d drive somewhere together.”
“Nope. We’re staying on the property.”
