Just last summer, he’d bought us a vintage poster of my favorite movie,The Count of Monte Cristo.
So why did it feel different now?Maybe you’re sleep deprived.I compartmentalized my entire life and I shoved all my Aaron emotions to one side of my brain. I locked it up and focused on working with the summer school program.
* * * *
Aaron: I’m outside when you’re done.
I didn’t reply and shook Ms. Scott’s hand. “Thank you again for allowing me this opportunity. I adore your kids. They’re amazing.”
“Of course.” She smiled warmly at me, holding on to the clipboard like a boss. “We’re lucky you got paired with us for your observation hours. You’re so good with the kids. You said you’d be able to come every morning, even when school starts?”
“Yes.” I cheered with a little too much oomph and drew some stares. I didn’t care, though. My excitement was pure. “It replaces one of my classes. Instead, we write reflections and keep a journal of everything we learned. It’s an experimental class—the first time they’re forgoing the lecture.”
“How exciting. Honestly, I wish I’d had that option. The real part of education is the doing, not those riveting lectures.” Her sarcasm was not lost on me. “Thank you again, Greta. We’ll see you next week.”
“Bye!” I waved to her, feeling high as a kite, and walked out of the old brick building. Aaron’s SUV stood out and I threw the door open. “Best dayever.”
He shook with laughter and made the mistake of asking why. He should’ve known better, because Gabs was coming out.
“I love the kids and how they learn…”
“The teachers. They are so nice and dedicated. I want to be like that…”
“The school is so beautiful. It’s old and perfect…”
“I could spend a month in that library…”
“Three kids hugged me. Hugged me, Aaron…”
“I can’t wait to have my own class someday…”
I talked the entire ride to the used book store, which, by the way, sold the best coffee on campus, and I felt embarrassed when I realized it. “I should wear a muzzle.”
His gaze slid to mine across the car and he shook his head. “Nah, I loved hearing about your day. You have so much joy in your voice. It makes me happy.”
“So, you actually listened?” My mouth fell open. I didn’t believe it.
He blushed, just a little. “Yes. I didthistime. Now, let’s get you coffee. I heard this place makes the best coldbrew in all the land.”
“I don’t appreciate you mocking me, Ronnie, but you said my favorite word on the planet, so I’ll forgive you.” I opened the door and took off at a quick pace to enter the quaint shop. It was my favorite place. It smelled like books. Old and antique books with the dusty pages and stories that stretched from ages ago. It was magical. I found an old copy ofWuthering Heightsand held it to my chest. It was perfect. I loved old, used and ratty books that had been read thousands of times. It pleased me to see proof of someone else’s joy. It was poetic and that was how Aaron found me, hugging a book like a psycho.
I expected him to make fun of me or something. But, no. He ran his teeth over his bottom lip for a second, reaching out and taking the book from my hands. “I’m buying this for you.”
“You don’t have to.” I tried to keep hold. But he was a star athlete and outweighed me by one hundred pounds. My fight was pathetic. “Aaron—”
“I want to. Give up, Gabs.” He won. The book now sat in his hands. “Consider this a thank you for my socks.”
I squealed, pulling up the ends of his pants. Yes, it was weird and I’d crossed a line. No, I didn’t care. I’d hoped he was wearing them and was thoroughly upset when I saw regular black socks under his skin-tight jeans. “Damn it.”
“They’re—what was your expression?—monstrosities.” Humor laced each word and he grinned ear to ear. “I can’t wait to try them. Even though they are em-bear-assing as hell.”
“Ah! You did get mypunnyjoke.” I laughed and a couple of girls at the other end of the store looked over at us. The air left my lungs. They were part of the cleat chasin’ crew who loved going after the baseball team.Why the hell are they here?
Aaron saw me tense and turned his gaze toward the back of the shop. His shoulders stiffened, making him taller than his already six-foot height. Something settled over his face—determination, fear… I wasn’t sure. But I knew something was going to happen. My gut churned. “Greta. Follow my lead.”
I gave a slight nod and he cupped my face. Those heated charcoal eyes danced with…what, I had no idea. But they danced and twinkled at me.Humor. That’s it.He was laughing at me with his eyes. It had to be it. His gaze dropped to my mouth and his tongue came out to wet the bottom of his lip.Why did I never notice how nice his lips looked?
I held my breath.Aaron.My goofy best friend lowered his lips closer and closer to mine. He rubbed his thumbs over my bottom lip, the sensation sending a tremble through my body. All this attention, fake or not, had me instantly horny. I would’ve jumped him then and there with how turned-on I was.But it’s Aaron. It’s fake.
