I chuckle. “Don’t be sorry! I’m so proud of you, my girl. That was amazing. I have a lot to learn, because I was lost half the time.”
“I’ll teach you, I’ll teach you!” she shouts, jumping up and down. I know she means it too. Her eyes have that glimmer inthem I haven’t seen in a while, and I want to help her keep it forever.
“How about we talk about it over Chinese?”
“And ‘Gilmore Girls’?”
I smile, swinging my arm around her shoulders. “And ‘Gilmore Girls’.”
She’s so happy, practically bouncing as we make our way to the van. I look up and spot Holden leaning against a wall, smiling our way softly. I stare, unable to take my eyes away from him.
“Go tell your boyfriend bye.”
“Holden is not—” I look at Bella when I realize A) she caught me staring, and B) I knew she was talking about Holden.
“Busted.”
I shake my head. “He really is not my boyfriend, Bella. He’s a friend.”
“Okay, well, then go tell your friend bye, but be back quickly. I’m hungry.”
I consider her, but not for long, because she says again, “Just go, Mom. It’s fine. I like Coach Clay, so even if hypothetically he was your boyfriend, I would be happy. If he’s just your friend, that’s cool too.”
I tap my fingers on the steering wheel.
“Just go!”
“Okay, okay.” I step out of the van and jog to him. He looks surprised, and I guess that makes two of us.
“Hi,” I whisper, blowing out a breath.
He furrows his thick brows. “Is everything okay?”
“Oh, yes, yes.” I look back at my van. “I don’t have a lot of time, but I wanted to tell you something.”
“Oh. Yes, what’s up?”
I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear and lower my gaze to my feet. Where did all my confidence go all of a sudden?
“Natalie?”
Come on, Natalie. Say it. You can do it.
I look up, peering at him through my lashes. “It was a date.”
He blinks slowly. “What?”
“Yesterday. Yesterday was a date. I mean, if you wanted it to be a date, that is.”
He opens and closes his mouth, making me consider even saying anything at all.
“You know what? Never mind. It’s fine; forget I said anything. You clearly changed your mind or didn’t mean it, or whatever, and I just, just forget it, I’ll see you around. I?—”
He interrupts me, grabbing my hand and escorting me to a small alley behind the main building. I can’t see my van anymore, and actually, I don’t think anyone can see us either, slightly away from everyone in the parking spot.
“What are y?—”
He turns around, bringing his hands to hold my face, and whispers against my lips, “Can I kiss you?”
