Page 179 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“I won’t let you fall. Trust me?”
She repositions her feet while her hands grow clammy in mine. “I trust you,” it comes out strained, but she balances on the board.
“Nice one. Now, just dip your knees and try rocking on the board.”
“Rocking?” she yelps. “Nuh-uh. Recipe for disaster.”
I crack up. “You just said you trusted me.”
“Doesn’t mean I trust myself.”
I push on the small of her back to give her some movement, and she yelps, digging her shoes against the board.
“Tabby, relax.”
“No. People aren’t meant to be on wheels.”
“What about cars?”
She throws her arms around my neck and leaps off the board. “I’m not doing wheels and a wooden plank.”
I hug my arms around her, walking her away from the board. “Okay, you’re not a skater girl.”
She buries her face into the nape of my neck. “I thought that was obvious.”
I plant a kiss against her hair and let her feet touch the ground. “Don’t worry, I like you just as you are.”
Tabby keeps her head hidden. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Why?”
“I’m such a chicken.”
I tilt her chin up. “Hey, you got on the board. That’s something.”
“But I’m not good at anything. You try Revolution Dance one time, and you’re a pro. I have nothing like that. I’m a failure.”
“Girl, don’t talk about yourself like that. What about fashion? You told me it lights you up.” I give her a goofy expression to bring out a smile, or hopefully, a giggle. “I know you’re dying to restyle my wardrobe.”
A half-hearted chuckle whispers out of her. “I wouldn’t change you.”
“Oh, come on,” I insist playfully. “My wardrobe has bugged you from before we were paired up in chemistry. You hate my clothes.”
“Your style makes you, you. I wouldn’t mess with that.”
I smirk, sending her a wink. “Okay, I’ll remember that. You love my grungy look. You can’t take it back.”
She smiles, planting her hands on the space above her heart. “I don’tloveit. I just appreciate it on you.”
I laugh. “How diplomatic of you.”
She shrugs, grinning bashfully. “Well, it is your birthday.”
“Oh, so the wardrobe bashing will happen after my birthday?”
“Maybe for my birthday you’ll let me tweak your wardrobe?”
“Tweak?” I echo. “That’s a curious word choice.”
