“Totally,” I agreed.
Ivy scrunched her face up as she watched Levi roar one of the ATV’s to life. “Ifthey can get them down from the truck in one piece.”
The three of us laughed. “Right,” I said. But inwardly, I was just realizing something. Levi was friends with a lot of the mean girls. Could it be that Jett had seen them coming and purposely kissed me at that moment?
No, Harper,I scolded myself. What we shared was real, I was sure of it. I swallowed the intrusive doubts in my head and tightened my grip on the bag of groceries. I had all the assurance I needed. Tomorrow I’d ask Jett to the dance, just like I planned. If our relationship had started off as some sort of sham, it had quickly evolved into something more. This was definitely the real thing. I’d keep that thought at the front of my mind, and block out the rest.
Chapter Eleven
“So, what do you think?” I asked as I stared at the poster before us. A dozen photos of Jett and I were pasted along the bottom half. Pictures that had been taken just last night at the beach. Some were selfies, but others were shot by Ava who, according to Jett, had her mother’s flare for photography. She’d forwarded them to Jett who forwarded them to me, which gave me the idea to askthisway instead of the way I’d planned prior.
“I think it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen,” Summer said in an almost reverent tone. “You guys look perfect together.”
“Agreed,” Bailey said with a sigh.
I moved my gaze from the prints of us by last night’s campfire, cuddled up to each other on the ATV, and the one of Jett lifting me in his arms (my favorite) to the question I’d poised in colorful markers above it:Can you “picture” us at the Sadie Hawkins dance together?
“You guys are seriously the cutest couple ever,” Summer said.
I glanced down at the ring I was spinning around my finger. Jett had given it to me last night. He’d pointed out the charms attached to many of the rings I’d worn, which made the charm on this one just perfect: a set of smooching lips.“So you’ll never forget the time we learned about the chemistry of a kiss.”
My heart melted at the very recollection. Forget? Impossible. Of all the rings I’d gotten over the years, this would forever be my favorite, I was sure of it.
Jett was busy putting in his double shift for the day, like he did most Saturdays, while his dad and the twins met Jett’s mom for lunch someplace between Atlanta and Sweet Water. That meant we could set up the poster, the candy, and the basketball balloons I got him whenever we wanted. I decided since Jett’s shift ended at seven that night, we’d drop it off around six-thirty and have it waiting there for him when he pulled into the driveway.
I hoped that one week was enough notice. The dance was on Saturday, after all.
A mountain of nerves built inside me as I pulled into Jett’s cul-de-sac. No cars or trucks sat parked beyond the garage. And when I took a peek inside, I saw that the garage was empty as well.Perfect.In about thirty minutes, Jett would drive up and see what was on the porch. Part of me wished I could be there to witness it.
We worked quickly, propping the poster with two big rocks. I used those same rocks to weigh down the helium balloons I’d bought to go with it. We sprinkled the porch with chocolate kisses and cinnamon candies (the combination stealthily symbolizing our hot kisses) and stepped back to check out our work.
“It’s perfect,” Bailey said with a nod.
“Totally,” Summer agreed.
I thought so too. For a brief moment, I considered snapping a picture of the display, but I thought better of it. Ava would probably do that. Maybe she’d make him pose in front of it as well—that would be so cute!
I grinned. “All right, I guess we’re good.” Anticipation fluttered through me as I pictured Jett walking onto the scene. I nodded, enjoying the burst of warmth that image brought, and forced my eyes off the sight. “Guess we better take off before he gets here.”
I couldn’t help but think, as we hurried back to the car, that Jett and I were stepping into new territory. Dates that didn’t revolve around our exes and what they had planned. We were on our very own journey, as a new couple, and I couldn’t wait to see where it led.
Chapter Twelve
Ireally wanted Jett to hurry and answer back, but I was a senior now and I knew how this worked: Jett could answer how and when he wanted, and it was my job (as the one who asked) to smile, wait, and not mention the dance invite until he did.
Besides, it usually took at least a few days (sometimes longer) because guys wanted to think of a clever way to respond, often incorporating the same theme.
I reminded myself of that very thing when Sunday went by without an answer. Part of me was hoping he’d put me out of my misery by bringing it up at Sunday service. You know, say something like,“I found the most awesome thing on my porch when I came home from work last night.”Or“Wish I could think of a good way to answer this hot girl who asked me to the dance.”
But he gave me no such thing.
On Monday in class, he said something a little encouraging after bumping my elbow to gain my attention. “I got Saturday off work,” he said under his breath.
I yanked my eyes off Ms. Tolken and her polyester suit to catch his gaze. Was he about to sayyesright here and now? I would welcome the idea with open arms. He didn’t have to answer in some special way; he just needed to answer.
He shrugged and added, “Just so you know.”
Just so you know?“That’s awesome,” I said with an encouraging nod.
