Page 5 of Double Trouble

“Waiting for someone?” She nudges me, and I chuckle, ignoring the fact I’m completely hopeless when it comes to hiding my feelings. Hell, everyone here knew when I had a thing for Candace. I’m pretty sure even Candace knew about it.

“Maybe,” I admit. “Did she come in earlier?”

“Not that I know of.” She passes me my Dr. Pepper. “But don’t sweat it. If she doesn’t come in tonight, she’ll be here tomorrow for sure.”

“Yeah.” But I don’t know. Two nights in a row now, I’ve been stuck in a bundle of nerves waiting for her to walk in. Yoda is gonna get dust on him.

I jut my eyes toward the stuffed animal sitting behind the counter. I propped him up there earlier. Just getting prepared is all. Gonna ask her out. Hold her hand. Board with her. Kiss her goodnight.

I adjust my Troublemakers cap, and Aislynn lets out a giggle.

“You’re so cute,” she teases, slapping the bill of my cap. “She’s going to say yes.”

“You think?”

“Tanner, you know how to board. You’ve got a freaking adorable nickname for the girl—you should see how she lights up when you call her Brink. You’re fun and sweet and a total catch. I have no doubt in my mind she’ll jump at the chance to go out with you.”

The corner of my mouth tilts upward, even if I’m blushing to the millionth degree. Easy for her to say; Aislynn is no stranger to compliments and isn’t shy about handing them out either. But my track record has me believing all sorts of negative things about my appeal to the opposite sex.

“Well, I hope you’re right.” I give her my Dr. Pepper after she gestures for it. She takes a generous sip, then sets it awkwardly on the counter.

The cup teeters on its edge, and my stomach bottoms out as the drink tilts, dumping all over the counter, splashing down over Yoda’s head.

“Oh crap!” Aislynn shouts and fumbles for the cup, but I hop the counter and grab the stuffed animal. Brown liquid seeps into the green material, and my heart jumps twice the speed it usually does as I swipe what I can off it. I press the ear, praying the thing still can speak.

Grr ought iffffmme oooo ill.

Shit.

“Tanner, I’m so sorry,” Aislynn stutters, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide and apologetic. “I’ll get you another one for her, I promise.”

I look at the thing, Dr. Pepper staining the eyes and mouth and dripping from the points of the ears. A deep sigh rocks through me, and I check the door again in vain.

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, setting the Yoda into the puddle on the floor. “It was stupid anyway.”

“No it wasn’t,” Aislynn argues as I head for the mop bucket. “She would’ve loved it.”

I duck inside the mop closet and turn the water on, filling the bucket to the halfway point. As I roll it out, I catch Aislynn trying to squeeze the soda from Yoda’s face back into the cup and making a bigger mess.

I chuckle. “Seriously, Aislynn. It’s okay.”

“I feel horrible! I stole your drink and ruined your grand gesture.”

“I’ll get another one.”

“A drink or a grand gesture?”

“Both.”

I ring the mop out and slap it to the floor. Aislynn fusses over the ruined toy and whispers under her breath to herself.

“Stop beating yourself up about it.” I give her a reassuring nudge. It sucks, yeah. But I still want to ask Brink out, with or without Yoda. I’ll just have to find the courage somewhere, dig it up, and then let it spill out.

“Can’t help it.” She strokes down the ears and frowns. “He was perfect and now he’s all…”

“It’s fine.” I finish up the mopping and push the bucket to the side. “It won’t stop me from asking her out.”

She gives me a look, and I realize just how well she knows me. “You promise?”

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