Page 16 of Just Another Meet Cute
We sat there for a few seconds or so awkwardly looking at each other before a car honked. Ryan coughed. “Uh, we should probably get out of the street.”
“Oh crap.” I jumped to my feet just as he held out his hands to me. It didn’thit me until I was already standing that I missed the opportunity to hold his hands and let him help me up.
Nice going, Nina.
He handed me my bag and held up the slightly smashed coffee cup. “Sorry I made you spill your drink. I could get you a new one if you want.”
“Don’t worry about it. I was done anyway.” I slid the bag onto my shoulder. “So that car was crazy, huh? Should we call 911 or something about him?”
Ryan jabbed his thumb over his shoulder as we walked across the street. “Someone at the coffee shop saw what happened and called the cops already. You were kind of dazed, so you probably didn’t hear them. But I think we should probably wait until the police come before we leave. In case they want to ask any questions or something.”
I stopped in front of a bench. “So, we just wait here … together?”
“Unless you want to go inside the coffee shop?”
“No!” I cleared my throat and sat down. “No, I think I’d rather stay out here. Get some fresh air and clear my head. Calm down a little bit. I’m still a little shaky.”
He nodded and sat down beside me. “Sounds like a good plan.”
Things got quiet for the next few minutes as we sat on the bench together. Cars occasionally drove by, but all you could really hear were some birds and music from the coffee shop whenever someone opened the door.
Now that the adrenaline had died down and our lives were no longer in danger, I couldn’t believe that I was finally sitting next to Ryan. I could reach out and poke him if I wanted to. (But I wouldn’t because that would be so weird.) After being the only thing on my mind for days, I finally found him.
And hestilldidn’t seem to recognize me.
Like he knew I was thinking about him, Ryan turned his head and gave me that adorable dimply smile that I’d been thinking about for days. “So, uh, before I forget, thanks for pushing me out of the way. And saving my life.”
“That was just luck.”
“No, it was super brave of you. The way you shoved me out of the way was like a superhero. Like Spider-Man or something. And not the flashy Spider-Man in the movies, but the ones in the comics like—”
I laughed. “You mean like inThe Amazing Spider-Man #334, where he fights against the Sinister Six?”
Ryan’s mouth dropped and he stared at me. “You—you read comics?”
Oops, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. It slipped out.
Before I had surrendered the key chain to Tim, I had ended up giving in and reading and rereading Ryan’s personal essay—short as it was—so many times that I practically had it memorized. But I also skimmed his report and the Spider-Man comic that was on the flash drive. Definitely not enough to carry on a conversation now though.
“I just know a few things.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I finally noticed the scrape on my elbow. “Oww …”
Ryan blinked rapidly and dug in his pockets. “Oh no. Here I have some tissues.”
“It’s okay. It’s not really bleeding or anything.”
“Still, it probably hurts.” He snapped his fingers and jumped to his feet. “I know, let me get you some ice. I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks.”
The small thoughtful gesture reminded me so much of him taking care of me during the hike that I couldn’t help but smile. He really was such a nice guy. One of the main reasons I wanted to see him again. I mean, yeah, he was still super cute, but it was his personality and kindness that drew me in.
When he got back with a bag of ice, I held it against my elbow. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“So, I have to ask.” I leaned back against the bench and frowned at him. “What the hell were you listening to that you didn’t notice the car? Or hear the yelling and car horns?”
“Oh.” He blushed until practically the tips of his ears were pink. “It’s stupid …”
