Page 39 of Own the Eights Gets Married
“Um, ladies first,” Simon said, shifting from foot to foot.
“Okay, thanks,” Talya replied, brushing the hair from her eyes as her cheeks grew rosy.
Hello, Teen Awkwardness 101.
Talya glanced at her binder. “Everything is covered for story time for the rest of the week. I wanted to make sure you were all right with me reading Eric Carle’s books to the kids.”
This girl was worth her weight in gold.
“That’s perfect, Talya! His books and illustrations are engaging, and the children love his stories. It’s a great choice,” she said as the teen’s cheeks grew a touch pinker.
Talya chewed her lip. “Okay, and one more thing. I have the volunteer list for the kids at my school who can help out during the Shakespeare Shuffle competition,” the girl continued, then handed her a sheet of paper.
“You’re going to be at the race?” Simon asked, his side to side nervous shuffle coming to a halt.
Talya nodded, and the teens stared at each other, neither saying a word.
Georgie cleared her throat. “Talya was kind enough to sign up to volunteer during the race and to recruit kids from the high school to take part and earn service hours.”
“I’m signed up, too,” Simon said, holding Talya’s gaze.
“To volunteer? I don’t remember seeing your name on the list,” the girl replied with a creased brow.
Simon shook his head. “No, I’m competing. I’ll be running and reciting a sonnet.”
“Wow! That’s really epic,” Talya replied, brushing back her bangs again. “I’ll be handing out cups of water to all the runners.”
“That’s epic,” Simon stuttered.
“It’s epic that you’re running. I’ve seen you over at the gym and jogging through the neighborhood,” Talya replied.
Simon’s eyes went cartoon wide. “You have?”
The girl nodded, and Georgie stole a look back at Jordan. With the folder still in place, the man had gone beet-red, trying not to laugh while watching the most awkward conversation ever.
“Did you need to ask Jordan a question, Simon?” Georgie asked, needing to get these kids the hell out of there before she lost it, too.
“Oh, yeah! Mr. Marks, is it okay if we incorporate more upper body workouts for the next couple of days since a bunch of us are putting in the miles training for the run?”
“That would be epic,” Jordan replied.
Georgie threw daggers at her fiancé with her eyes while simultaneously swallowing a belly laugh.
Not an easy feat.
“You work at the gym?” Talya asked Simon through her lashes.
He puffed up his chest. “I help Mr. Marks.”
“That’s epic,” the girl cooed.
“I’ve seen you around the bookshop, you know, doing book stuff,” Simon said, taking the teen awkward level up another notch.
Talya fiddled with the edge of the binder. “Yeah, I help out in the children’s area.”
“That’s totally epic,” Simon answered.
Georgie’s eyes watered as she tried not to laugh. If she heard Simon or Talya sayepicone more time, she would totally lose it. She took a breath and willed herself not to giggle.
