“Ah, he’s the shiny new toy,” I remarked while Maksim shot me a look.
The guys came sprinting into the room. Their eyes lit up at the sight of me, but then the moment they saw Maksim, they skidded to a stop. All eyes were riveted on Maksim.
Kyle’s wide-eyed gaze traveled up Maxim’s body. “Whoa.”
“Are you the Hulk?” Jason questioned.
Quint rolled his eyes. “Duh, he’s not green.”
“Maybe he’s blending in and not using his colors,” Jason challenged.
“Nowhere in the comics or movies is that canon,” Quint replied.
The corners of Maksim’s lips quirked. “Sorry, b-but I’m not the Hulk,”
“Sarah, is he your boyfriend?” Quint asked while pointing at Maksim.
I squeaked in horror before replying, “No, no. He’s just my friend.”
He furrowed his auburn brows at me. “So you don’t have a boyfriend?”
“Not at the moment.”
His face lit up. Then will you be my date to the prom?”
“Of course, I will.”
I’d almost forgotten that a Night to Remember–the Special Needs Prom–was coming up. I’d been Sammy’s date the first two years they held it, and then I’d gone with Kyle one year.
Quint wrapped his arms around my waist and squeezed tight. “I’ll have the prettiest girl there.”
“Aw, you’re too sweet,” I replied.
When I glanced at Maksim, he had a soft smile on his face. “I would agree.”
Quint shook his head. “Uh, uh. No flirting with my date.”
With a horrified look, Kyle said, “Don’t threaten the Hulk, Quint.”
While I giggled, Maksim shook his head. “I’m not the Hulk, and I’m not flirting.”
Rolling his eyes, Quint replied, “Dude, you look at her like you want to kiss her.”
Heat tinged my cheeks as Maksim stared earnestly at me. “Was I?”
When his eyes flicked to Quint, I felt the warmth of his gaze leave my body. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Quint replied.
At the ringing of the doorbell, Quint extricated himself from me just as Sammy and Jason yelled, “THE GIRLS ARE HERE!”
“The girls?” Maksim questioned curiously.
I clapped a hand to my forehead. “Oh no, I forgot they were coming tonight, too.”
“From your reaction, should I b-be worried about these girls?”
I laughed. “No, it’s not like that. They’re the residents of a girls’ home just like this one. Once a month, the boys host them, and then they host the boys.”
