Page 34 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
I inhale deeply and nod. “Okay. I can do that.”
“Wyatt, remember you need to pause when you’re stuck on words,” Dr. Fincher says. “At least counting back from ten. Having Josie visit is a big thing for you. Of course it would increase any anxiety you are already feeling.”
Wyatt sits up. “She didn’t cause...”
Dr. Fincher raises a hand to halt his sentence. “Excitement and anxiety can feel more alike than we realize.”
At that, Wyatt blushes.
“How’s the vision?”
“It’s okay, I just had a really bad headache.”
“I’ll have another dose of painkillers administered on the hour.” Dr. Fincher taps his clipboard against his chest and turns toward the door. “Keep up the good work.”
“That sounded positive,” I say, now that we’re alone.
“Mm-hmm.”
“So, memory tests. You’ve already had them?”
“Yeah, I’ve had a few. They seem like they should be easy, but, ugh... They’re so hard.”
“They’d probably be really hard for me too,” I reply, “and I haven’t had an injury.”
Wyatt slouches beside me, misery coloring his face.
“Hey,” I whisper, grasping his hand. “You okay?”
He exhales shakily. “I just don’t want to be broken anymore.”
“Hey,” I coo, squeezing his hand. “You had an accident, that’s all. You’ll heal. It’ll just take time.”
“But you heard the doctor,” he says, shattered. “I slur and forget words. I don’t want you seeing me like this.”
“Wyatt,” I say, bravery faltering. “I wouldn’t be a very good friend if some stuttering was a turn off.”
His smile is small as red lines his eyes. “I’m just scared.”
I sniff and water builds in my eyes. “I know. Me too.”
He pulls an arm around me. “Thank you so much for being here. I’d be going out of my mind without you.”
I lean in and peck his cheek. “We can’t have you stressing out. The doctor said that’s on the top of the no-no list.”
“I think if I get extra time with you I’ll be as mellow as a hippie.”
I giggle, watching a dimple embed in his cheek. “I’ll stay as long as they let me.”
He swipes his thumb over my chin. “You said you’d never been on a date?”
I bite into my lip. “I guess I’ve always had someone else on my mind.”
There’s something so soft and sweet about the light dancing in his eyes. I can’t help glancing at the shine on his lower lip. The hours I’ve spent imagining myself kissing this boy again are unfathomable. He was my first ever kiss at twelve-years-old, and there hasn’t been anyone else since. Not that I ever put myself out there to date another boy.
As Wyatt tilts his head like he’s about to lean in, I can’t help imagining him in the movies I’ve watched over and over. How many times I envisioned myself as the girl in his arms. And then Portia fills my mind.
I push on his chest, reclining myself away from him.
