When we’re finished, I’m tired. Not physically, but mentally. Or emotionally? I don’t interact with people like this on any kind of regular basis.
But I feel good.
“Thanks for asking me to help out today,” I tell Beckett when he drops me off at Perks and Rec.
“You bet. Thankyou.”
“I think I’m in,” I tell him. “For doing more of this.” I won’t make any long-term promises, and I’ll be honest with him about my plans to go back to Portland, but why not help out while I’m here? Why not get to know people? The idea of staying to myself, hanging out alone, just killing time feels cold and…impossible. How am I going to keep myself from getting involved with these people? They’re too hard to resist.
He grins. “Awesome. We can go over a plan tomorrow at breakfast.”
“Sounds good. See you at practice.”
“You got it.”
I head into the coffee shop, realizing I’m starving.
“Hey, Alex!”
“Hi, Alex!”
“Alex!”
I’m met by a chorus of greetings. I stop and really take it in. That happened last night, too. I was distracted by my frustrations about the scrimmage and about finding Nora, but now it comes back to me.
“Hey, everybody,” I say, with a smile, as I start for the counter.
My gaze lands on the mason jars next to the register.
I stop and stare.
Warmth spreads through my chest.
Was it the scrimmage that made the difference? Nora? Working with Beckett today?
Does it matter?
No.
The sign asks, “What do you like better?” and the options are: Warm chocolate chip cookies or Alex Olsen.
The Alex Olsen jar is overflowing with dollar bills.
CHAPTER 26
NORA
I’m totallynonchalant the next morning at Perks and Rec.
Okay, I’mtryingto be totally nonchalant.
But last night I got a text from Alex that said,Going to work with Josh so I can’t come over.
We didn’t have plans for him to come over that I knew of.
But his next text had been,I know we didn’t have specific plans for me to come over, but just assume that I’m going to be at your house every night that I can.
I’d laughed and also probably swooned a little.
