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“I know,” I tell her. “I may be used to the attention at this point, but that doesn’t mean I need it or want it.”
“Okay. So, hottest guy in school, how was your day?”
She’s trying to lighten the mood again, which seems like a good sign. Besides, even though she put her own spin on it, and even though I pushed her to do it, she asked me a question. I take that as a win. And now I know she can be a smart ass when she wants to be. It’s cute.
“Well.” I chuckle, “If I have to carry that label, I’m in good company.”
“What does that mean?” She wrinkles her nose, making those cute little freckles twitch.
“It means my friends have declared you the hottest girl in school, although they’re pouting about it because they aren’t allowed to date you.”
Sawyer’s already fair skin seems to whiten. “I don’t understand any of what you just said.”
“What’s not to understand? My friends think you’re hot, but they can’t date you.”
“Um, why?”
“It’s a rule between guys. You can’t date your friend’s sister. Why? Would you want to date one of my friends?” My stomach goes a little queasy at the thought.
“What? No. I don’t know if I’m even allowed to date. I mean why would they even want to?”
“Why would anyone want to date you? Is that what you’re asking?” I can’t hide the shock in my voice.
“Yeah. I mean, I get it if they want to meet my dad, but aside from that, what interest could they have in an introverted sophomore on the track team?”
“Jesus,” I mutter to myself. “Do you really have no idea that you’re beautiful?”
“Please.” She scoffs as the color rushes to her cheeks. “I’m not a blue-eyed blonde.”
“That’s not everyone’s definition of beautiful.”
“Most everyone.”
“Not mine.”
“So, you dated that blonde soccer player last year because she’s not beautiful?” She casts me a knowing look.
“How do you know who I dated?”
“Hottest guy. Most popular. Star football player.” She taunts, raising the fingers on her hand as she ticks off her list.
“Okay, I get your point. And sure, Alyssa’s cute and a really nice girl. But beautiful like she took my breath away? No.”
“Beautiful doesn’t have to mean taking your breath away.”
“That’s my definition.”
“Now I know you’re full of it.” She laughs as she pulls into the driveway and puts the truck in park.
“How do you figure?”
“You calledmebeautiful.” She turns the car off and holds the keys out to me.
I know the smart thing to do would be to wink, or ruffle her hair, or offer some other brotherly gesture to emphasize the idea that I’m teasing, the way she thinks I am. But that would only reinforce her belief that she offers no value beyond the people she’s related to. I can’t do that to her. Instead, I turn to face her, staring straight into the wide green eyes that have started to haunt me when my own are closed.
“I did call you beautiful.” I take the keys from her. “And I chose that word very carefully.”
Sawyer inhales sharply, her hand suspended in midair though I'm now holding the keys. My eyes drift to her lips before I can stop myself, and I swear my body starts to drift toward her when of all things Will's voice pops into my head.He can't even get close to her. They're gonna be related.I swallow audibly and turn to climb out of the truck without meeting her eyes, so I won’t have to question ifI made her day, or the biggest mistake of my life.
