Page 49 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
"There are worse fates," James murmurs, closing his laptop and standing. "Good luck with your courtship ritual, Tyler." He nods at us both and heads out of the kitchen.
"That's practically a blessing," Gavin stage-whispers when James is out of earshot. "I think he likes Ethan more than he likes most of us."
"High bar," My voice is dry as dirt.
"So," Gavin claps his hands together. "Operation Ask Out The Tiny Hot Nurse is a go. What's the plan?"
The eye roll happens, but so does the smile. Gavin being so pumped about this makes me feel like I can handle anything, even figuring out what's happening between Ethan and me.
"Just call him already," Gavin says, shoving my phone into my hand.
"I will, but not with you breathing down my neck," I tell him, trying to push him out of the kitchen.
Gavin plants his feet, immovable as a mountain. "No way. I need to hear this. For science."
"For science?" My eyebrow quirks.
"Yeah," he grins. "I'm studying the mating habits of the lovestruck fraternity VP. Very rare species."
Rolling my eyes as I feel a smile tugging at my lips. "Fine. But be quiet."
Pulling up Ethan's contact and hit call before I can overthink it. As the phone rings, my heart does this stupid little flutter thing that I'm going to pretend isn't happening.
"Put it on speaker," Gavin whispers loudly.
"Absolutely not," My voice hisses at him.
The phone connects, and Ethan's voice fills my ear. "Hello?"
"Hey," I say, warmth spreading through my chest.God, I'm so gone for this guy. Just hearing his voice makes me happy."It's Tyler."
"I know," Ethan says, amusement clear in his tone. "I have caller ID."
Gavin is leaning in, trying to hear, and I swat him away.
"Right, of course," I turn my back on Gavin. "So, I was wondering if you're free this Saturday?"
"I think so. Why?"
Catching movement in my peripheral vision I turn to see Marcos poking his head into the kitchen, eyebrows raised in question. Gavin gives him an enthusiastic thumbs-up and waves him in. Great.
"We're doing our annual car wash fundraiser for the animal shelter," I explain, trying to ignore my growing audience. "It's pretty fun. We wash cars, get soaked, raise money for a good cause..."
"And you want me to... bring my car?" Ethan asks, sounding confused.
"No, I—" I turn around to find that Drew, our president, has now joined Gavin and Marcos. All three are watching me with undisguised interest. I wave them away frantically. They don't budge.
"I'm inviting you to come help out," I clarify. "As my, uh, guest."
"Your guest?" His voice sounds hesitant but happy.
"My date," My voice is firm as I try to ignore the silent cheering Gavin is now doing. "If you want to be."
There's a pause that makes my stomach do a little flip.
"I'd like that," Ethan says finally.
The relief that floods me is embarrassing. "Great! It starts at 10 AM in the parking lot by the student union. We usually go until about 3, but you don't have to stay the whole time if you don't want to."
