“Top Gun.”
She skips another rock before asking, “Are you Maverick or Goose?”
“I don’t know.” I pick up a rock of my own to skip. “Maybe Goose? Your brother would be Maverick. He’s a little more bold.”
“And more stupid,” she mutters.
I burst into laughter, but I cut short when I catch her watching me closely. “What?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you laugh like that.”
I return to digging my boot into the dirt, not knowing what to say back.
“It’s nice.” She nudges me with a smile.
I have to bite my lower lip to keep from grinning like a little kid.
Her phone lights up between us, and she lifts it before locking it and putting it back down. I nearly ask her if she’s going to answer, but decide on “What’s your favorite movie?” instead.
“The Proposal.”
I crinkle my nose. “What’s that?”
“You don’t knowit?”
I shake my head.
“Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock?”
“Nope.”
She blushes. “It’s a rom-com.”
“Are those your favorite?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” She gives a sheepish grin, shrugging a shoulder. “I love romance. It’s full of hope, and the idea of finding someone who adores you, quirks and all, is pretty cool.”
I’m so close to blurting out that I’m that person, but I know better than to cross the line. This is my best friend’s little sister. He’s fiercely protective of her, and even if he weren’t, I’d still feel an inclination to protect Lauren from myself.
“Do you have a favorite movie-watching snack?” she asks.
“Oreos and peanut butter.”
She sticks her tongue out. “That sounds nasty.”
“Don’t knock it till you try it. There’s no greater combination than chocolate and peanut butter. Add a little cream and a little crisp from the Oreos and—” I bring my fingers to my lips and blow them up in a chef’s kiss.
“I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.” She raises her brows, looking doubtful.
“I’d have to say the same aboutThe Proposal.”
Her jaw drops as her phone lights up again, but she flips it over, focusing back on me. “What do you?—”
A twig snaps behind us, and we both whip around to find a lanky kid stumbling our way. It’s Austin Moore. He’s a year behind me, in Lauren’s grade, and he’s the other starting wide receiver on our team. I kind of hate the cocky freshman.
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Lauren. I’ve been texting you.” His glossy eyes are filled with hope.
“Oh, yeah, sorry. I just didn’t want to be out in that chaos.”
