by Laura Burton
It took about five minutes and six tissues, but it looked good. Not great, but much better than I ever would have thought I was capable of.
Mia was right. The red accentuated the olive in my skin tone. And there was a bit more skin on display tonight with the off-the-shoulder blouse I’d decided on, paired with the dark-blue skintight jeans. I decided to wear the same beaded sandals I’d worn the night before. I might need a bit more practice and a lot more confidence before I could handle the wedges Mia had made me buy.
I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen in search of Shane. Mia’s date, Greg, had picked her up earlier to take her out for dinner, and we were meeting them at the movie theater later.
“Oh, Abby. You look beautiful.” Nell held out her hands to me, and I took hold of them. She pulled me in for a hug, and it didn’t feel as foreign as it had before. Nell was easy to love and let into your heart. I guess she and Shane had that in common.
“Thanks.” I breathed in her floral perfume, noting that it too felt kind of familiar already. Must be all the hugging.
“Shane should be down in a second. Do you want a drink before you head out?”
“No, thanks. I ate so much dinner I think I might burst if I have anything more.” Nell had cooked a delicious meal of chicken enchiladas and salad. And she’d fed me almost as much as she’d fed Shane.
“Nonsense. You’re as thin as a rake. You college kids need to eat. Keep up your strength so you can study.”
“I’m sure that meal will keep me going all week.” I smiled, and Nell returned the gesture with a bright big one of her own.
“Hey, Mom?” Shane’s voice carried through the house. “Is Abs with you? She’s not in Mia’s room.”
Before I could call out to alert him of my presence, Shane rounded the corner and entered the kitchen. He was about to say something, but his jaw slackened and his words died on his lips.
I turned to face him completely, my hands tucked into the back pockets of my jeans. Shane’s intense stare had me dropping my gaze to the floor and shielding my face behind my long tresses. I’d added a few extra curls with the curling wand, like Mia had shown me last night. That thing really was magical. After a beat, I looked up and replied, “I’m here.”
Shane’s eyes were still trained on me.
“Close your mouth, son. You’ll catch a bug like that,” Nell joked.
Shane’s face broke out into a smile, and he rolled his eyes. Ignoring his mother’s comment, he held out his hand to me and said, “Ready?”
I felt a flutter in my belly. My eyes traveled down to his hand and back up to his face. Shane’s warm green eyes searched mine, but behind the twinkle sparkling in his gaze, vulnerability shone. It helped extinguish my usual flight response and had me reaching out for his hand and grasping it in mine instead.
“Have fun,” Nell called out, reminding me of her presence. It was easy to forget myself with Shane.
“Don’t worry. We will.” Shane tugged on my hand, bringing me close to him and leading me outside. When we got to the car, Shane paused before opening my door.
“Abs?” Shane started.
“Yes?” I squeaked, my head still spinning and trying to catch up with the events of the last twenty-four hours. I was going on my very first date. With none other than Shane Davis. How on earth had that happened?
Shane waited for me to return his gaze before he spoke. “You’re beautiful.”
I fidgeted with the hem of my blouse, my eyes fixed on my sandals. “This outfit is great.”
“No.” Shane tipped my chin up until I was looking up at him. “You, Abigail Henderson, are absolutely gorgeous. And it has nothing to do with the clothes.”
I looked up at him and searched his face. I was waiting for the punchline or the but to follow. Mom and Dad told me stuff like that all the time. But nobody else ever had. Especially a guy. But I saw no teasing or insincerity hidden in Shane’s features.
“Thanks,” I whispered, still unsure of how to respond.
He smiled, and his whole face broke out and radiated that megawatt happiness that was so typically him. I could feel peace and contentment swell inside. Shane did my heart good.
The lights dimmed in the theater, alerting us that the movie was about to start. Mia had selected the show, and we were in for a two-hour rom-com. Shane didn’t seem to mind. I think he let Mia have her way more than he was comfortable admitting. She seemed to have him wrapped around her finger.
Mia’s date, Greg, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be too excited to spend the next hundred and twenty minutes engaged in a chick flick. Apparently, Mia hadn’t clued him in when she’d bought the tickets. And he wasn’t taking it like a good sport.
The dark hall and the loud introductory music didn’t help my frazzled nerves. I couldn’t explain it. This weekend, Shane and I had spent enough time together for me to be chill with him. Still, the air felt charged, buzzing with electricity.
I glanced sideways, and Shane smiled, his eyes already on me. Those little glances and smiles had been happening since we’d left about an hour ago, all through the twenty-minute ride to the theater and lining up to get in and buy our snacks.
Shane had bought us a big bucket of popcorn, and it rested in my lap. His arm kept brushing against me each time he reached out to grab a handful. Not that I minded. But each touch caused the butterflies in my belly to flap a little more actively. If he kept it up, I might end up dropping the contents of the bucket all over me and the floor.
Shane leaned in close and made a comment about Mia and her date. His cologne filled my nostrils, and my head swam. His words were completely lost on me. I just Mmmed and nodded, not sure if my response was even appropriate.
Mia’s date made another loud comment, but I was too distracted to pay any attention to it. I did hear Mia shushing him.
Shane leaned in and whispered, “It doesn’t look like it’s going so smoothly over there.” His lips brushed my ear, and a shiver ran down my spine. I wasn’t used to a guy affecting me like this. Sure, I was attracted to Chris. But this felt like my nerve endings kept responding to varying temperatures. Either warmth seeped through my system, heating me from the inside out, or cold shivers ran up and down my spine, tilting me off-balance. The switch in extremes was a serious hit to my system, leaving me off-kilter, unsettled.
I glanced over to Mia, who appeared to be in a heated conversation with Greg. It didn’t look like they were enjoying the movie. Not that I had any idea what it was about, either.
“No, it doesn’t,” I whispered back. “Wasn’t Mia excited about going out with Greg?”
“I thought so,” Shane replied. “I guess we’ll find out all about it later.”
I chuckled. Shane was probably right. Mia would fill us in for sure.
“So, on a scale from one to ten, how good has today been so far?” Shane plastered on his customary smile as he waited for me to answer, but the way he nibbled on his bottom lip told me he was eager for my answer.
“I’d say a solid eight.” I grinned.
“An eight?” Shane’s voice rose. I hushed him. It was bad enough Mia and Greg had attracted the attention of the other patrons; no need for Shane to do the same.
“Well, yes.” I smirked. “The day isn’t over yet. The scale can still alter.”
“Aha.” Shane rubbed his hands together.
“Alteration can go either way,” I warned, but a chuckle rolled off my lips.
Shane tilted his head in challenge, daring me to contradict him.
I laughed. I couldn’t help myself.
“You know, you’re terrible. All this talking, and I’ve missed what the movie is about.” Shane pretended to whine.
“I’m sorry,” I said in a tone that indicated the complete opposite. “How about I clue you in?” I nodded toward the scene unfolding in front of us. I had absolutely no clue what was going on, but I filled in the blanks, taking a wild guess. “This girl,” I pointed to the female lead on
screen, “she’s madly in love with that guy.” I made an extra effort of showing which male character I meant. Someone in front of us turned around to hush us, and that made Shane laugh even louder.
“So, what’s happening?” he whispered, once he got his amusement under control.
“The classic saga.” I raised my brows. “She’s in love with him. He’s in love with that other girl. He sees the light, and they fall in love, yada yada yada. Sadly, it doesn’t work out like that in real life.”
“Why? What’s different in real life?” Shane shifted in his seat and faced me.
“The guy never notices the girl.” I couldn’t keep the bitterness out of my voice; I’d endured a lot of years of being overlooked.
“Nah. I don’t believe it.”
“So, Dr. Love, if you’re the expert, how does it happen in real life?” I tilted my brow up in challenge. Shane definitely had more experience in matters of the heart than I did, but when it came to rejection and unrequited love, I was the go-to girl, for sure.
“In real life, maybe the girl is in love with the guy. And maybe he doesn’t notice her. But maybe that’s because he’s an idiot, or because he’s undeserving of her.” His voice got louder again, and people were turning and giving us the stink eye. Shane didn’t seem to notice. He was too absorbed with his own explanation. “Maybe, in real life the girl doesn’t end up with the first guy, because there is an even better guy madly in love with her, and she just doesn’t realize it.”
His intense green stare bore into mine, and somehow it didn’t feel like he was talking about a general or hypothetical situation anymore. The possibility of what he suggested caused my heart to beat at double speed, almost out of my chest.
I turned my eyes to the screen, intent on watching the rest of the movie. I tried. But my mind kept thinking of Shane’s words. Was he really talking about me? Us?
The movie was coming to an end, and it looked like the ending I predicted.
“I told you.” I leaned in to speak to Shane. “The guy gets the girl. Nothing like real life.”
Shane’s eyes connected with mine, and he held my gaze. His voice dropped in volume, but the same intensity from earlier was still there. “That’s because in real life, all that girl needs to do is open her eyes and see what is right in front of her.” With each word, my insides shook.
What was he saying? What did he mean?
Shane leaned in closer, and my heart stopped. Was this it? Was it finally happening? Was Shane going to give me my first real kiss? The seven minutes in heaven in tenth grade with Brady Johnson didn’t count. My body drifted toward him, like opposite poles attracted by a strong magnetic force. I never expected my first kiss to be from anyone other than Chris. In this moment, I didn’t seem to mind one bit. I felt the pull drawing me closer still, like a cord wrapping around us. All I wanted to do was close my eyes and give into the desire I felt burning inside.
-Chapter 13-
There had to be some higher power that hated me. Something or someone out there that hated my very existence.
Seated in my chair, I could feel Shane’s breath against my lips. On instinct—I had no previous experience to compare it to—my eyes closed as I leaned in even closer. I felt like my insides might burst if Shane didn’t kiss me, and soon. I almost did burst when the lights came on, announcing the end of the movie.
My eyes flew open completely and landed on Shane. His eyes widened before he pulled back like I’d burned him. I stared in shock, not understanding what was happening. I didn’t think this was how it was supposed to go. Why was Shane retreating as if I were a leper?
I wanted him to look at me, but he avoided my gaze. Did he regret getting close? Almost kissing me? Was I that repulsive?
“I’m sorry, Abs,” Shane mumbled.
Sorry. What did that even mean? Sorry for almost kissing me? Sorry for getting carried away in the moment? I was completely lost here.
“Come on.” Mia grabbed my hand and yanked me out of my seat before I even saw her standing next to me. In my current confusion, I didn’t put up a fight. “We’ll see you both outside,” she called out over her shoulder.
“I need the restroom.” Mia let go of my arm as we made it out of the theater. I was still in a daze from what had just happened. Or what hadn’t happened. And Shane’s reaction.
“There.” She pointed out to the nearest facilities and tugged on my elbow, steering me in the right direction. Clearly my sense of equilibrium was out the window. Or maybe still on my seat next to Shane, still spinning from the mixed signals.
“This way, Abs.” Mia took ahold of my shoulders and spun me a quarter of a turn to the entrance. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Nothing,” I replied automatically, but I could hear the inauthentic tone in my voice.
“Yeah.” Mia huffed, unzipping her bag and pulling out her lip gloss. “It looked like you and Shane were getting nice and cozy.” She waggled her brows as she smeared the wand of sheer glossiness over her lips.
“Funny,” I grumbled, Shane’s sorry having left a bitter taste on my tongue.
“No.” Mia smacked her lips together. “I’m serious. It looked like it was going really great. Whereas, Greg… Ugh!” She shuddered, her face scrunching up like she’d swallowed a sour lemon.
“Haven’t you been dating the guy for a while now?” I leaned into the sink, my hip resting against the countertop.
“Yeah. A couple of weeks. Tonight will probably be the last date.” She fluffed her hair and turned around. “Shame. He’s a great kisser. But a real brat.”
I stared blankly.
“So, you and Shane?” Mia prodded. “What’s happening?”
I was still trying to figure out what that almost-kiss had been, and why Shane had looked at me like that. Why he was sorry. What that sorry meant. “Nothing,” I said, releasing the breath I held.
“It didn’t look like nothing from where I was seated.” Mia interrupted my thoughts.
“Trust me. It was nothing.”
“Trust me.” Mia used my words on me. “I know my brother. It wasn’t nothing.”
I wanted to push her. Ask what that meant. Find a plausible explanation for his reaction. My feelings. Talk endlessly about it. But Mia was Shane’s sister first. And I wasn’t comfortable talking about stuff like this. I didn’t even know how to talk about stuff like this.
It didn’t even matter, either. For the second time in ten minutes, Mia grabbed hold of me and led me out of the restrooms in search of the guys.
Once we located them outside the restrooms, Mia joined Greg and they resumed their animated discussion from before. That left me to stand next to Shane, at a loss for words. For the first time, Shane didn’t have much to say, either. I dared a glance or two when I thought his gaze wasn’t on me. I couldn’t help myself. He was like a tray of Charlotte’s triple chocolate caramel-frosted brownies. When he caught me staring, I looked away as fast as I could, hoping it wasn’t obvious. But who was I trying to kid? I had been sucked in. Like all the other girls on campus.
I had always applauded myself that I was smarter than that. But in reality, Shane wasn’t anything like I’d ever suspected. He wasn’t the player. The shallow guy that didn’t take things seriously. He was better than I’d imagined a guy to be.
But he wasn’t into me. How could he be? Wipe off the red lipstick and take away the trendy outfit, and I was still nerdy Abby. Sure, I was intelligent and on my way to make it at Berkeley, but I’d never be the type of girl guys noticed. I wasn’t the dating type. It had always stung a little, but now it felt like a deep burn. I was ready to go home, curl up in the fetal position and have a good, ugly cry. For hours. Maybe days. This hurt even worse than Chris’s rejection.
“Greg, it was fun. But let’s not do this again. Ever.” Mia tapped him on the shoulder, turned her back to him, and looked up to Shane. “I’m ready to go home. Let’s hit it.”
She walked out in front of us. I glanced back
at her date and offered an apologetic smile. He stared at Mia’s retreating form, his eyes bulging as he shook his head. Yeah, Mia had that effect on people.
Shane held out his hand to let me pass, ever the gentleman. I made sure to slip by him without touching him or even looking at him.
Once we were outside, Mia started ranting about Greg and his many failings. Her words, not mine. I had no opinion on the matter. I was happy for her to get it out of her system, and when we got to the car, I took advantage of her animated replay of the date to hop in the back seat and avoid any further interaction with Shane. It was the cowardly thing to do, but I’d endured enough rejection for one night.
Shane kept glancing through the rearview mirror, trying to meet my gaze, but I avoided it, keeping my eyes plastered to the window and the view outside. Not that I saw anything. I was looking but not seeing, lost in my own thoughts and wallowing about lost opportunities. Both with Shane and Chris.
Once back at Shane’s house, Mia hopped out of the car and stomped inside, leaving me alone with Shane in the car. I unbuckled my seat belt and opened my door before Shane could get to my door, and I was halfway out when he stood to hold my door open wider.
“Abs, about earlier,” he started, but I cut him off.
“Don’t worry about it. Thanks for tonight. It was fun. But it’s late. I better get some rest so we can get up early and head back to campus. Got to get some studying in.” I forced the best fake smile I had left in me and circled around him to head inside. I didn’t wait to hear whatever explanation he had to offer. I might have cried had he tried to talk, and I had no experience with tears and mascara. Plus, I couldn’t remember if I’d put the waterproof one on or the regular one earlier tonight. I didn’t want to hang around to find out.
