My heart sinks. I thought…
Oh you fool, Madeline.
You stupid, stupid fool.
“Yeah. Busy summer, I’m sure,” I say, attempting to keep my tone even, forcing myself not to sound as crushed as I feel.
What did I think was going to happen? He would drop to one knee and ask me to marry him? I’m a naive country girl, with no business talking to the big bad city boy.
Ugh.
Maybe Mama was right. Maybe I should stay far, far away from all the boys.
“Hey.” He stops walking. “What with the attitude?”
I shrug. “No attitude.”
“Maddie, I have a sister. I know when a girl is giving me shit. What did I do within the last five minutes that upset you? And what do you mean by ‘busy summer’?”
He stares.
I stare back.
If he has a sister, he should know we don’t back down from a staring contest.
“Maddie?” His arms cross, and I have to force myself not to notice how good they look when his muscles flex in his tee. “What did you mean by, ‘busy summer’? I don’t read minds.”
“I was only responding to you,” I answer and continue the journey back to my cabin.
I don’t hear him follow. Good, because I’m about to burst into my cabin and cry my eyes out. Until heavy footsteps are fast approaching.
“Ah!” I cry out when Nate wraps his arm around my middle, twirling me around. “Put me down, Nate.”
“You silly, silly girl.” He lets me down, my body dragging over his.
We stand almost nose to nose. Luckily, my body is more comfortable around him than before.
He pushes back my hair, cupping my cheeks, chuckling to himself like a madman.
“What’s so funny?”
“You, Mads.” He bites his bottom lip, containing his twitching lips. “It took me a minute, and then it clicked. I wasn’t saying I won’t see you again. God, I can’t wait for tomorrow so we can do it all over again. I was saying it because of your brother.”
“Oh.” I smile, instantly feeling relief.
“Yeah. Oh.” His eyes sparkle playfully.
“Wait…my brother?”
“Yes, I’m a dead man. We missed dinner on the first night of camp. I’m sure we were the only two not there.”
My heart rate picks up alarmingly quick. “Are we going to be in trouble?”
“Nah. It’s all good. Well, besides with Mase.” He steps back and takes my hand in his like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Come on, Mads. I should get you back.”
My only regret tonight is that the walk to my cabin wasn’t further.
I don’t want this night to end.
