Page 48 of Notice Me, Jameson Hart
“Because he’s your brother! What if we dated and it ended badly? Or what if things are going swell, but we break up anyway?” She covers her face with her hands. “I could never risk our friendship over a boy, even if that boy happens to have nice, broad shoulders.”
“Rita—”
“No, I’ve thought about this. A lot. Too much, probably, if I’m being honest. If Robbie and I dated and then broke up, it would make everything weird. I’d still want to come over and hang out with you, but he’d be there, and it’d be awkward. I willneverput you in that position. You’re my person, Kevin. I’m not losing you over some crush.”
I paddle toward her from where I’d drifted until our rafts bump together. “First of all, you’re never losing me. Even if you and Robbie got married and had twelve kids and moved to Alaska.”
“Twelve kids? In this economy?”
“Second of all,” I continue, “Robbie would be an absolute fool to break up with you. You’re brilliant and passionate and loyal. Plus, you have the best vintage swimsuit collection in the tri-state area.”
She laughs, but it’s watery. “You have to say that. Best-friend code.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true. And because I’ve seen how he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching.” I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the times I’ve caught Robbie staring at Rita during movie nights, or how he always laughs loudest at her jokes. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But now, seeing it through the lens of his interest in her, it suddenly makes sense. He’s been crushing on her for much longer than she probably has for him. “He’s smitten, Rita. One hundred percent.”
“Smitten,” she repeats. “God, that’s such an old-fashioned word.”
“Would you prefer hopelessly devoted? Completely whipped? Head over heels?”
She splashes me. “Stop it.”
I keep going. “Utterly besotted? Thoroughly enchanted?”
“I hate you,” she says with a smile.
“No, you don’t. You love me almost as much as you love my brother’s shoulders.”
“They are impressive shoulders,” she admits. “When are you going to get some?”
With a shocked gasp, I splash her back. She cackles the entire time, a redheaded wicked witch.
The radio crackles to life again, and the DJ’s voice is urgent. “Breaking news, folks. We’ve just hit one-oh-seven. This is officially the hottest day in Arcadia’s recorded history. Please, please stay indoors if you can.”
Rita and I glance at each other, then at the pool we’re floating in, then back at each other.
“We’re rebels,” I say.
“Living on the edge,” she agrees.
We float for a while, the heat making everything slow-moving and dreamlike. A dragonfly lands on the edge of Rita’s raft. Its wings catch the light like stained glass.
“Hey, Kev?” Rita says.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for not making this weird. My crush on Robbie.”
“What are best friends for if not to discuss attraction to siblings? Besides, if you had a hot brother, I’d hope you’d do the same for me.”
She laughs again, and this time it’s full and genuine. “Only in our lives would this be a normal conversation.”
The back door slides open, and Robbie’s head pops out. “You guys want some lemonade? Dad made a fresh pitcher.”
I watch Rita’s entire face transform at the sight of him. It becomes soft and bright all at once. Yeah, she’s completely gone for my ridiculous brother.
“That sounds perfect,” she calls back, and I don’t miss how Robbie’s grin widens at her response.
He disappears back inside, and Rita turns to me. “See? How am I supposed to resist that? He’s bringing us lemonade during a heat wave. That’s practically a marriage proposal.”
