Page 5 of I Knew You Were Trouble

She growls and buries her face in her hands. “Zach is different from other guys I’ve liked. I feel so lame talking to him.”

“That’s different from anyone else?”

She gives me a quick smack to the shoulder, and I pretend it hurt way more than it did.

“He’s older. More experienced. Rides a motorcycle. Is totally ripped. And his tattoos…”

“You sure we’re not talking about me?” I tilt my head, my grin smug. She shoves me again.

“I’m from a small town in Idaho. I turn in pennies I find on the road. I go to bed at exactly ten-thirty and wake up at exactly seven. I’ve kissed two guys and both of them took me on four or more dates before I let them do that. I’m way too…”

She gestures to herself, unsure of how to finish the sentence. She doesn’t need to, though.

“Hey,” I bump shoulders with her, “you just need to loosen up a bit.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“It’s not hard.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

“You got a ride home?” I say without thinking too much about it.

“Yes.”

“You want to cancel it? Hop on my bike, for a change.”

Her eyes narrow, and she gives me a look that clearly says I’m talking crazy.

I snort. “Okay, start simpler, then.”

“Example…?”

“Eat dessert first.”

She wrinkles her nose at me.

“What?” I laugh. “Even that too hard for ya?”

“That sounds like the lamest way to become… less lame.”

“Hey, you’re the one who doesn’t want to take a ride on good ol’ Gertrude.”

“You named your bike.”

“Yes.”

“And you named it Gertrude.”

“Just now, yes.”

She snorts, and then chokes, and then turns red, and I’m laughing at her while she gives me a right hook to the shoulder.

“Okay, I’ll start with dessert before dinner.”

“Good.” I push to my feet and put my hand out for her. “I’ll check in on Saturday, so you better do it.” She takes my hand, and I hoist her up. “You want to do closing announcement or should I?”

“It’s still two minutes before.”

---