Page 59 of Notice Me, Jameson Hart
“I appreciate that,” he says softly. “All of it. It means a lot.”
He takes a step closer, and my breath catches in my throat. My heart isn’t beating anymore—it’s doing the conga, with maracas and everything. The space between us shrinks to nothing, and he’s so close I can smell the rainbow sherbet on his breath, see the way his eyes flicker down to my lips.
Oh my god.This is it. This isthe moment. Jameson Hart is going to kiss me right here on the boardwalk with the ocean and the stars as our witnesses. My toes curl inside my sandals, as eager for the moment as the rest of me.
His hand comes up, and I close my eyes, ready for the touch of his lips. But instead, I get the gentle press of his thumb at the corner of my mouth, warm and careful.
“You had some ice cream there,” he murmurs, his voice low and amused.
My eyes fly open to find him grinning at me, thumb still resting against my skin. Every nerve ending in my body explodes as a nervous chuckle escapes me. “Oh. Thanks.”
“Hey, guys!” Matthew’s voice shatters the moment at the worst possible moment. “We’re going swimming!”
I peer around Jameson to see our entire group standing at the edge of the beach, silhouetted against the boardwalk lights.
“Swimming?” I squeak. “We don’t have bathing suits.”
“That’s the point!” Robbie shouts, wiggling his hips. “Night swimming in our clothes! It’s a classic summer move!”
“Come on,” Rita calls out gleefully.
Tyler’s already kicked off his shoes, and Ethan’s bouncing on his heels with excitement. Even Adam, despite our earlier tension, has a small smile on his face.
“This is such a bad idea,” I mutter, but Jameson’s already moving toward the group.
“Probably,” he agrees. “But sometimes bad ideas make the best memories.”
We make our way down to where the sand meets the surf and line up as though we’re about to run a race. Rita positions herself next to Robbie. Matthew and Tyler flank Ethan. Adam takes a spot at the end, still avoiding me, but here, nonetheless.
“Alright,” Adam says, taking charge as always. “On three, we all run. First one to dive under a wave and surface alive wins eternal glory.”
“What about our phones?” I ask, ever the practical one.
“Leave them in your shoes,” Tyler suggests, already shoving his iPhone into his sneaker. “They’ll be fine.”
We follow his lead and create a small pile of electronics and footwear on the dry sand. The beach is mostly empty at this hour—only a few other groups of teenagers who are doing equally ridiculous things in the distance.
“I’m going to regret this,” I say to no one in particular.
“Hey.” Jameson’s beside me again, close enough that our arms brush. “You okay?”
“I don’t love the ocean at night,” I admit. “Too many viewings ofJawsas a kid.”
He holds out his hand, palm up, patient. “I’ve got you.”
I stare at it, unsure whether I should take it. The last time we held hands, it was for seconds. A simple shake, a pleasantry. But this? This would be for a minute, maybe even longer. Am I ready for that? To be taken care of by Jameson, if even for a fleeting moment?
Knowing that there’s nothing gained, nothing ventured, I take him up on the offer. His fingers are warm and solid around mine.
“One!” Adam shouts.
“Two!” everyone joins in. “Three!”
“GO!” Robbie bellows, and we’re off.
The sand is cool under my bare feet as we charge toward the water, a line of teenagers acting as if we’re in some coming-of-age movie. Rita shrieks with laughter as the first wave hits her ankles. Tyler does some kind of war cry that has Matthew cackling. Ethan’s already waist-deep, diving under with zero hesitation. Jameson and I take up the rear. I know he’s slowing himself down for my sake; I’ve seen him on the field—he’s a bullet. The kindness he’s showing me makes me fall for him even more.
The first splash of the Atlantic Ocean against my shins is shocking, but not unbearable. Jameson’s hand tightens around mine as we push deeper, the waves tugging at our clothes.
