Page 101 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
I follow Wyatt over to the pool, carrying our drinks. Wyatt’s in dark athletic shorts, making it easy for him to sink his legs into the water. I place our drinks on the tiled ground and shimmy my dress up so it doesn’t touch the chlorinated water when I sit. The pool is heated to a delightful temperature, and we nestle together with our drinks in hand.
I take a sip of the most deliciously sweet drink I’ve ever tasted, and say, “A pool is more my speed than the beach anyways.”
“You always did opt for things with less people.”
I bite into my lip as I brush my arm against him. “With just one particular person was always the best.”
“I hope you haven’t been feeling alone since I left.”
“It’s okay. I mean, I have Kylie.” I shrug, tapping the sides of the glass. “But she has a boyfriend now, so I see a little less of her.”
“Do you like her boyfriend?”
I nod, liveliness thumping from my heart. “Yeah, he’s great to her.”
“That’s good.”
“He’s tried to stop me from crushing on you. He was convinced none of us would ever see you again.” I giggle, searching deep into Wyatt’s eyes. “Guess I showed him.”
Wyatt slouches. “So, no one thought I’d go back to Victoria Falls?”
I gesture at the cityscape and beach view. “Cherry Beach might have Victoria Falls beat.”
“I dunno. There’s no mountains here.”
“True. There’s no place like home.”
Wyatt hooks his pinky around mine. “I promise to visit home again.”
I peck his cheek. “I believe you. But there’s no rush.”
He nods. “There’s a, a lot of check ups lined up for me.”
“Are you nervous about that?”
He rubs his knuckles against his chest. “I have th-this sinking feeling they’re gonna ad-admit me back into the clinic.”
I curl my arm around his. “Oh, Wyatt, that’s not going to happen. You’re making such good progress. You’ll only go back to the clinic for routine check ups.”
He pats my arm. “I, I just can’t shake the feeling I’m gonna get thrown back in.”
“Not possible. I didn’t remember those three words during your tests, but you did. You’ve gotta give yourself more credit.”
He sighs. “Without you, I make really dumb decisions.”
“How can you say that?”
“Listening to my parents for starters.”
“You don’t know what the other factors were in your life.”
He clutches my hand. “I know I didn’t have you.”
I intertwine my fingers with his. “But you had your music.Remember how learning chords and lyrics helped you memorize things when you studied?”
Wyatt kicks his feet in the water. “It’s the only thing I’m good at.”
“Hmm. You’re also good at kissing.”
