Page 46 of Best of Me

I beam, ecstatic that he’s actually asking me to join him out with our friends. Our time alone these past few weeks has been nothing short of wonderful, but I’m more than ready to take this thing public. As of right now, I’m pretty sure only Ashley knows—and that’s only because she tricked me into telling her one night last week on a video chat. She squealed and I-told-you-so’d for a solid five minutes…the little smartass.

I try and play it cool though. “Um, if you do.”

He falls silent for a quick minute, cracking his neck. “Yeah, let’s go. We can ride together.”

Internally, I squeal with excitement. Externally, I settle for a simple, “Sounds good,” before texting Jenny back that I’ll see her there. She sends back a million different emojis expressing her excitement.

Jenny: Good! It’s been forever since I’ve seen your face!

Me: Has it?

Jenny: YES! Almost a month, you heifer! It’s almost like you have a secret boyfriend you’re hiding away with.

I sputter out a cough, dropping my phone. “You okay?” Duke asks, but I quickly recover, assuring him I’m fine.

Me: See you soon!

Jenny: Suuuuuuure. Try and avoid me. I’ll get you to spill all of your secrets by the third frame.

We both resume reading until I have to stop in order to get ready. Duke follows behind me up the stairs, book in hand. He plops down onto my bed and buries his nose between the pages while I select an outfit—because the ratty shorts and bralette I’m rocking won’t cut it.

I dress in a pair of cut-off black denim short-shorts and an over-sized threadbare camo t-shirt that I knot in the front, exposing a sliver of my abdomen. I toss my hair up into a messy-bun, slip my feet into some cute woven sandals, and toss a pair of socks into my bag.

I check my reflection and ask Duke what he thinks. He cracks up, and I whirl around to face him ready to ask exactly what about my appearance is so funny. Only he’s not laughing at me; nope, he’s full-on belly laughing at the book I bought him.

“What part?” I ask.

He wipes tears from beneath his eyes. “The dolphin,” is all he says and I crack up, too, knowing exactly which part he’s referring to. He slides his bookmark between the pages and closes the book, his eyes on me. “Damn, Cricket. You look amazing.”

I give a little mock-curtsey. “Why thank you, kind sir.”

Duke springs up from the bed, draws me into his arms, and kisses me until my bones turn to jelly. He pulls away; I collapse into his chest, unsteady on my feet, and he grins. “Sure you don’t wanna stay here and finish what I’m trying to start?”

I smack playfully at his chest. “Your pin and balls aren’t the ones I’m looking to play with today.”

He laughs and it does something magical to me. “And that’s not the kind ofstrikeI was looking for.” He presses one last kiss to my lips. “C’mon, I’ll drive.”

Duke holds my hand the entire drive to the bowling alley, and like always, the small touch sends my pulse into overdrive. He pulls into a parking spot near the back of the lot and hops out, coming around to open my door for me. He guides me toward the entrance with a hand pressed to the small of my back.

Ever a gentleman, he rushes forward to hold the door open for me and I pass through, expecting him to bring his hand back but he doesn’t. At the counter, we grab our bowling shoes and head over to the lane Jenny and Nate have reserved.

“You’re here!” Jenny exclaims, hugging me tightly. “You’re really here!”

Laughing, I shake out of her embrace. “Live and in the flesh, you little nutter. Dramatic much?”

Jenny sighs dramatically. “Uh, no. It’s been too long. Wanna tell me what’s kept you so busy?” She waggles her brows and nods toward Duke. “Could it have anything to do with the handsome fellow you arrived with?”

I whirl around to face Duke. “Can’t a friend give another friend a lift?” he asks, he’s begging me to understand, but I don’t. I really freaking don’t.

Jenny’s not buying it though. “Since when are y’all friends?”

Duke shrugs. “We worked it out.”

I swallow down the scoff that begs to burst forth.So much for telling our friends.Determined not to let Duke’s weirdness get to me, I fish my socks out of my purse and lace up my bowling shoes.

Natalie and Alden join us, and Jenny sets up the scorecard announcing we’re playing couples. That gets Duke’s attention. “But—” He starts to protest, but Jenny shushes him.

“You can team up with Mally.” She cuts her eyes my way, studying my reaction. I carefully school my features, hoping she can’t read the way my heart’s breaking in my chest.

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