Page 39 of The Heart Shot
Yes, the thought that I was legitimately nuts crossed my mind. Buteveryone’sheart and mind battled against each other, didn’t they? The only difference was I had given them names.
How did I even respond to his text? I didn’t feel like I could say “me too” since I was still figuring out what the heck I felt to begin with, but I also didn’t want to encourage him. Despite agreeing to the three dates, there would be no future for us.
I had to convince myself as much as I had to convince him.
So, instead of writing something nice back to him, I effectively ended the conversation.
Me
Heading to bed. Night!
And like the gem he was proving to be, he didn’t miss a beat and replied:
Jameson
Sweet dreams, Elsie.
I quickly silenced the pitter patter of my heart, ran into my bedroom, crawled beneath the blankets, and waited for sleep to find me.
Elsie
So, how did it go with the hunk?” Maya asked the next day over lunch at Chick-Fil-A, the best restaurant on planet Earth. The day this glorious chicken place opened in the town ten minutes east of Meridel would be forever marked as one of my favorites.
The restaurant was bursting at the seams, with a long line nearly out the door, kids running and screaming in the play area, while we gorged ourselves on chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.Though it was crowded and noisy, I didn’t pay any attention. It was only me and Maya at our little table in the world of Yum.
Yep, my own personal Chick-Fil-A world was called Yum. I wasn’t ashamed.
“Hunk? Really, Maya?” I said around a mouthful of fries.
She shrugged, the smile remaining on her face. “What? He is. You can’t deny it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gross. He’s your cousin, Maya.”
Maya laughed. “I’m not saying he’s a hunk tome, weirdo. But I know someone likeyouwould appreciate how attractive he is.”
“Well, Mr. Hunk has a name.”
“Oooh, defensive. It must have gone well then.”
“It was fine,” I mumbled through a bite of my spicy chicken sandwich.
“Just fine?” A piece of waffle fry flew from her mouth.
“Ew.”
Maya waved it off with a laugh. “You have to give me more than that.”
I shrugged. “He took me to the family pumpkin patch.”
Maya gasped, her eyes bulging. “He brought you to Beck’s Pumpkins? Was Aunt Jo there?”
My face must have said it all because she burst out laughing. “She can be a bit much, can’t she?”
I cringed. “She was sweet.”
“If you think a wolf in sheep’s clothing is sweet. Though, she really helped Jameson when his dad died. She’d do anything for him.” Then she put her hand to her heart. “He brought you to a place that’s important to him. How romantic.” She took another bite. “Did he kiss you?”
The question made me suck in a breath, and a piece of chicken lodged itself into my throat, sealing off my airway. I wheezed and coughed, but it wouldn’t move.
