Page 48 of Running Into You
I head to my room to change my shirt. I’ve already decided to wear the jeans I’ve got on. I reach for a red plaid shirt and start to put it on, but notice that a button is missing. I’d lost it when Betty had been a bit too eager taking it off me and I hadn’t cared to look for it afterward. Sighing, I grab a slim-fitting navy crewneck instead and throw it on. I give myself a final once over in the bathroom mirror before I grab my coat and head to get Betty since our Uber will be here in four minutes.
She answers the door shortly after my knock and my rehearsed greeting dies on my lips. Her brown hair falls in waves over her shoulders. The fitted white tank she’s wearing is paired with dark blue jeans and they are both drawing my eyes to every curve on her body. My eyes can’t decide what part of her to linger on, so I force myself to look at her face. Her skin looks almost sun-kissed, which I assume is makeup, but it’s light enough that I can still see every freckle on her nose. There are nine of them; I counted them one day as she slept beside me. Her lips are a deep shade of red and are parted slightly. I think about how it’s been six days since I’ve kissed them. She’s wearing a modest amount of eye makeup and her eyes have never looked greener. She looks taller than usual, and I assume that the dainty brown boots she’s wearing must have at least a three-inch heel. She is the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Ready?” she asks tentatively as she slips on her coat.
God, I hope so.
“Let’s go.”
We’re both quiet as we leave the building. I want to start a conversation. More than anything, I’ve missed talking to her. But part of me is terrified that I’ll say the wrong thing. The rain has mostly stopped, but the puddles it left are everywhere, and I’m glad we didn’t attempt to walk the eight blocks to Bohemian. Our Uber is waiting, and I hold open the door, allowing Betty to climb in first.
“How is Callie getting along in PE?” Betty asks once she’s buckled in the backseat.
Callie is a visually impaired student at my school who has not participated in regular PE classes before. After speaking to the principal, I approached her parents about including her in classes. They were hesitant at first, but Callie was adamant that she wanted to try. We started track relays in class this week and she’s been doing exceptionally. It means a great deal to me that Betty remembered.
“She’s doing really well. Practically running the show. The kids are all very supportive. They fight over who gets her on their team.”
“That’s amazing,” she says, grinning back at me and that warm feeling only Betty gives me spreads through my veins. I want to kiss her so badly, but I make myself look out the window. Take it slow. Do not scare her off. “I ran three miles without stopping today.” My head spins back to her so quickly, I nearly give myself whiplash.
“Congrats, Speedster! You should be really proud of yourself,” I say as she smiles shyly and looks at her lap. I want to tell her that I’m proud of her and that I wish I’d been there, but I don’t.
“Thanks. I wouldn’t have gotten here without you.”
“Sure, you would have.” I shrug dismissively, despite the fact that her words make my heart grow three sizes.
“No, I mean it.” She places a warm hand on my arm, and I turn to meet her impossibly large eyes. An electric current strong enough to power a small city runs through me at her touch. “About what happened last weekend…”
“Here you are, folks.” The driver interrupts her, letting us know we’ve arrived at our destination. She jumps back at his words like she had forgotten we weren’t alone. Without saying another word, she unbuckles her seatbelt while I give the driver cash and we climb out of the SUV. The rain has picked up again and we make a run for the entrance. Once inside, Betty gives the hostess Maggie’s name and after a quick reservations check, she leads us to a table.
Maggie and a guy I assume is Mark are already waiting. At first glance, he’s a well-built walking hair-product ad in a tight polo shirt. He looks bored, but Maggie seems excited enough for the both of them. She bounces out of her chair and throws her arms around Betty.
“You made it!” She squeals, releasing Betty and then hugging me. I glance at Mark when she’s released me to find him scowling at me.
“You must be Mark,” I say, offering him my hand. He stares at me, the scowl still in place.
“Must be,” he says, taking my hand and squeezing the hell out of it. I think he’s trying to crush the bones in it, his cold eyes never leaving mine. Yeah, I’ve definitely touched a nerve.
“Great to meet you.” I smile at him, trying to telepathically communicate that I am not trying to fuck his girlfriend. He releases my hand but continues to eye me warily.
“Hey, Mark,” Betty says flatly from her seat next to him. He hasn’t acknowledged her presence yet.
“Betty,” he says, nodding in her direction. What have I walked into? I knew from the few times Betty mentioned him that he wasn’t her favorite person, but I was not expecting borderline hostility.
A waiter arrives with some sort of cocktail for Maggie and a beer for Mark.
“Can I get you two something to drink?” His name tag says Theo.
“We’re ready to order our meals.” Mark interjects before either of us can reply. Maggie tentatively puts her hand on his arm.
“Honey, they just got here. Give them a few minutes to look at the menu.” She smiles apologetically at Theo, who stares at her with a dumbstruck expression. Maggie is a beautiful woman, and the kid has definitely noticed. Unfortunately for everyone, Mark has noticed Theo noticing.
“She’ll have the chicken club wrap with a side salad, and I’ll have the steak sandwich with fries,” he says louder than he needs to, shrugging off her hand. Maggie looks chastised, and I open my mouth to say something I’ll probably regret.
“Split the nachos with me?” Betty says to me before I can get the words out. There is a desperate look in her eyes, and I gather she wants to diffuse the escalating situation for Maggie’s sake.
“Sounds perfect,” I say, then turn to Theo. “Can we get a side of wings with those as well?”
“Sure thing.” He nods gratefully, writing everything down on his notepad. “Anything to drink?”
