Page 17 of That Summer
“I don’t think Felix will try to grab my hand.”
“Felix?” I laughed “What is he? A cat?”
“Funny!”
“But seriously, why don’t you think he’ll try to grab your hand?”
“It’s a first date.”
“True, but he’ll try to touch you in some way if he’s feeling a connection with you.”
“He will?”
I nodded. “He’ll even lean in.” I leaned my body toward her. “He’ll stare into your beautiful blue eyes.” I did. “His gaze will lower to your lips.” Mine did. “And just as he’s going in for the kiss,” I leaned in more, wetting my lips as her gaze zeroed in on them, “he’ll wet his lips and—”
“Order number fifty-four, your order’s ready. Order number fifty-four.”
8
The car ridewas silent as Deb drove us home. After I’d tried to kiss her, we ate in silence and then we left. It was awkward, to say the least. And when we got home, there was more drama.
“Look, Debs—”
“It’s okay, Blake. We don’t need to talk about it.” She got out of the car, and I hurried to do the same.
“I was just showing—”
“I know.”
I followed her into the house, and then we both came to a dead stop when we saw Sarah on the couch bawling her eyes out. She turned to us.
“Where have you two been?”
I rubbed the back of my neck but didn’t say anything as Deb rushed to Sarah’s side. “We went for pizza. I didn’t think you’d be home.”
“Arkin broke up with me,” Sarah replied between sobs.
Arkin? What kind of name was that? And what was up with the men in this town having dumbass names?
I stood awkwardly as I watched Sarah cry, not knowing what to do. Women and tears just weren’t my thing. That was why I broke up with Miranda over the phone. I told her that I couldn’t leave my house—which was true—since I almost went to jail. Then, I told her she needed to be free and go to New York—like Sarah—and pursue her career in modeling—not like Sarah.
“It’s going to be okay,” Deb said softly.
“How? I thought we were going to get married after college.”
“Life doesn’t always turn out the way we think it will. But you know, life can also surprise you. When you think you’ll never have feelings for someone else, that person might walk into your life and be the one you never saw coming.”
My head tilted to the side a little as I stared at Deb. Was she talking about me? Her gaze met mine and she gave me a warm smile.So she was talking about me?There was no way.
While Deb’s eyes were locked with mine, I mouthed, “I’m gonna go,” and pointed to my room before walking away.
* * *
The next daywas my day off, and I didn’t see Deb or Sarah while I spent the morning swimming and relaxing by the pool. I assumed Sarah was wallowing in her tears and Deb was avoiding me, but just before lunch I ran into Deb.
“Hey,” I said, noticing she was dressed in a sundress and cowboy boots. Fuck she looked amazing. “You’re leaving?”
“Going to have lunch with Felix. Remember?”
