Page 63 of Stealing for Keeps
In true Wyatt form, he bounces on to the next thing quickly. He takes a seat on the floor in front of his latest Lego creation.
“Wow. Did you build that?” She looks impressed by him, and I feel a little jealous of my eight-year-old brother.
“I just finished,” he says proudly.
“You built all these?” Her gaze scans the room. He has Lego sets on nearly every surface.
“Uh-huh,” he says, not looking up. “Watch what it does.”
I hang in the doorway as Claire goes to sit in front of him on the floor. She sits patiently and eagerly listens as he shows her all the cool things it does. She’s more interested in his Legos than she’s been in me all week.
“I am seriously impressed,” she says. “I had no idea you were holding out on me. I love Legos. I used to have this three-thousand-piece Harry Potter set. It took me weeks to put it together.”
“That’s cool. My mom won’t buy me any that are more than five hundred pieces, because she says I’m too little.” He looks properly put out by that, then busies himself with moving his new Lego set onto an empty space on his bookshelf.
“Very important question,” I say as I walk into the room. “Gryffindor or Slytherin?”
She scoffs. “Hufflepuff.”
“Oh no. I’m a classic Gryffindor. I knew this friendship was doomed.”
The shyness in her smile is back, but she stands and doesn’t immediately jolt out the door, so I’d say we’ve made some progress.
“I should get home.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay? Mom ordered pizza, and then we can work on our art project.” I also just really don’t want her to go.
“I need to study for a chem quiz.”
“Are you sure you’re not just fleeing again? You’re pretty fast with that boot. Guinness record level in fact. The way you sprinted away from me all week was impressive.”
Her face flushes slightly, and she bites on the corner of her lip. “I’m sorry. I was embarrassed.Amembarrassed. I was a mess the other night.”
“You were fine.” Better than fine. Perfect, though something tells me she wouldn’t believe me if I said it.
“My mom yelled at you.”
“Not the first time a mom has chased me out of her daughter’s bedroom.” I chuckle. “Kidding. First and hopefully last.” Although I’d be willing to chance it with her.
“Anyway. I’m sorry about all of it.”
“You don’t need to apologize. Well, except maybe for avoiding me. School is a real bummer without you keeping me company.”
“I’m sure you managed.” There’s a challenge in her tone, and I’m a little bit happy that she sounds jealous thinking I might have been talking to other girls.
“Stay.”
She drops her stare to the floor. “I can’t.”
I lean closer. “Did I mention I’m wearing Bugs Bunny boxers?”
She laughs softly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” She finally looks up at me and smiles in a way that makes my chest tighten. I am in so much trouble with this girl.
Chapter Eighteen
