“Like Kyle,” he teased, and I heard just a hint of his inner diva. “Girl’s got a crush.”
“No, I don’t,” I lied. Then I caught sight of Carl’s raised eyebrow and knowing smile. “Okay, I do. I mean look at him.” Kyle was on the beach not far away from us, so I swept my hand in his direction. “I’m only human.”
“Meh… I’ve seen better. I mean facewise, yeah maybe, but he’s too skinny. I can’t be sure, but I think he might still be going through puberty.”
“Stop,” I laughed, and then leaned into Carl and swooned. “I think he’s perfectly perfect.”
“You would. You’ve got this whole ‘save the world’ thing going on. First you take pity on the giant and now the runt.”
“Hardly.”
“Do you think he likes you?” Carl asked. “The two of you are always pretty cozy at night.”
“I don’t know. He’s so flirty, but I think he’s like that with everyone. I never really know what he’s thinking.”
“You give the kid too much credit. I honestly don’t think he’s got a lot going on upstairs.”
“You just have to get the digs in, don’t you?” I shook my head and laughed.
“I can’t help it.”
“Anyway, I seriously doubt I’m his type of girl. I think he goes for the slutty types, and he basically implied earlier today that he thought I was a virgin.”
“You’re not?”
“Nooo. Why does everyone think that?”
“You just have that sweet, innocent vibe to you, probably because you look like one of those Beanie Babies with the big, soulful eyes.”
“I love those things,” I gushed.
“I know, right? You want to know a secret? Sometimes I buy them pretending that I’m going to give them to my daughter, and I keep them for myself.”
“I love you, Carl,” I grinned. “Too bad you’re gay.”
“Yeah, too bad for you,” he teased. “So what are you planning to do about your boy toy?”
“I don’t know,” I sighed. “I think he’s out of my league.”
“HA,” he barked. “If you ask me, it’s the opposite. Any man would be lucky to have you, and if Kyle can’t see that, he’s not worth wanting.”
“Ahhh, will you be my best friend forever?”
Our laughter halted abruptly when Kyle started up the beach, coming straight toward us.
“Speak of the devil,” Carl said, his demeanor instantly souring.
“Carl!” I scolded. “Be nice. Actually, you know what? This is the perfect opportunity for you to practice your friendly greeting. Now, remember what I taught you.”
Carl grunted. “This just seems pointless.”
I furrowed my brows to display my annoyance. Why did he always have to fight me? “Deep breath; then smile and greet. Here he comes.”
Carl transformed his mouth into what looked more like a snarl than a smile. Why he could flash one so effortlessly for me but not for the others puzzled me. Kyle had a happy-go-lucky expression on his face as he ambled up the beach, but once he caught sight of Carl’s attempt at a smile, he startled and cut a wide circle around us.
“KYLE!” Carl bellowed. “HELLO!”
I swear Kyle jumped, and then froze in place as if he were convinced he was about to be beaten to a bloody pulp.
