Page 24 of Everything Has Changed
Gwen grins at me. “Exactly.”
I can’t help but grin back as I watch her heart shine through her eyes. I’m captivated as she tilts her head just so, causing her bangs to slide from behind her ear. I reach up, softly tucking the hair behind her ear, as if it’s the most natural gesture in the world for me. Gwen’s lips part on a sharp inhale when my fingers brush against the shell of her ear. Our eyes are locked, and it’s almost impossible to look away, but I force myself to look back down at the list. My hand drops back into the space between us on the couch.
“Let’s see what else you’ve come up with.”
She hums in agreement next to me. “Right. Um, here.” She leans over and quickly highlightsfun run.
I track down the rest of the list, actively trying not to focus solely on the woman beside me. Ultimately, that’s pointless as she unknowingly assaults all of my senses. My fingers still tingle from the brief touch.Her tantalizing scent still fills my nose. My peripheral vision practically aches to look at her again.
I can feel her own eyes on me as I read, and I wonder if she feels the same pull that I do. Thankfully, though, she steers us back to the conversation at hand.
“The dunk tank would be great if we can get volunteers that have history in the town. Your dad, for example. If we could get him to do it, I bet the turnout for tickets would be record-breaking.”
I chuckle lightly. “I know I would pay a pretty penny to dunk him.”
She taps the page. “We could set up a projector in the town square for a movie night under the stars. We still have the popcorn machines from a few years ago. Probably needs a good cleaning, but it would be a good draw for more people to spend the day.”
I look up with a smirk. “As long as it’s not one of your slasher films. We don’t need to traumatize the town.”
She rolls her pretty eyes, but the tilt of her lips tells me I didn’t upset her with my comment. “How was I supposed to know you had a weak stomach?”
Laughter bubbles up in me as the memory plays in my head. “How was I supposed to know my lab partner required horror movies for comfort?”
“Hey, we aced that test with my study skills.”
“Because I couldn’t look up from the textbook without wanting to toss my cookies and there was no way I was going to waste Ophelia’s fresh-baked chocolatey goodness.” I shudder for effect, shaking the coffee table my knees are against. But it’s worth it when Gwen tosses her head back laughing.
“Fine. No horror movies, but definitely a fun Halloween-themed flick.Hocus PocusorNightmare Before Christmas.”
I scrunch my nose in confusion. “Gwen, you can’t be serious. That’s a Christmas movie. It’s literally in the title.”
Her face goes completely blank. “I cannot believe you just said that. Wow, I’m going to have to reevaluate our relationship.” She shakes her head in disappointment and sighs.
“Oh,” she points at the next couple bullet points. “These two are my personal favorites.”
“Kissing booth and a date auction?” I look over. “Sounds very 2000’s teen romantic comedy.”
“Exactly why I think it’ll be a hit. It’s just competitive enough to be playful and fun. It will drive up fundraising dollars when you get some lonely housewives in the audience and a good looking man like yourself up on stage. It’s a no brainer.”
I pop an eyebrow in her direction, my chest warming with her words. “You think I’m good looking?”
She lightly shoves me while rolling her eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong. It’s a recipe for success.”
“Honestly,” I drag out the word for suspense before looking up. “I think this is going to be the best donation year this town has seen.”
Gwen nibbles on her lower lip, her eyes darting to the notebook and back to me from under her lashes. Her green eyes brighten. “You’re not just saying that? You can be honest, you won’t hurt my feelings.”
I shake my head. “I’m serious. But I can tell you right now I’m not being put up for auction.”
She scoffs. “Why not? You know everyone would be fighting over a date with you. We could put you up as the big-ticket item.” Her hands go up like she’s showing off a sign. “Win a date with the future mayor of Willow Grove.” Gwen’s smile is wide, pretending to look up at the imaginary sign. Her hands fall slowly when her gaze catches on my face. “Did I say something wrong?”
I school my features back to something soft rather than the hardness that immediately took over my muscles at the reminder. “No,” I force a false grin on my face and I can tell she doesn’t believe me as her teeth sink back into her lip again. One of her tells, I’m learning, when she’s uncomfortable.
Not wanting her to feel that way about me, ever, I push on. “I’ll think about it. Only under one condition, though.”
She looks at me skeptically. “What’s that?”
“You place the winning bid for me.”
