I was turning back toward the outdoor store before I’d entirely made up my mind.
Was I doing this?
I was doing this. I’d seen the look on his face, the disappointment, and I couldn’t take it.
Aiden said once I would’ve walked over hot coals for Devin.
That was true—but I would’ve walked over hot coals forhim, too, and Kieran, and Carter, and Felix. And Mrs. Goode. And… half the town, really. They’d been good to me, I liked them, and whatever I could do for them, I would.
Devin, I would’ve done a lot more for. I would’ve tried the impossible for Devin, even knowing I couldn’t do it, because he was asking.
Because crushes wereawful.
If Ididn’tgo, and he missed out on this competition he’d been prepping for all year—more than all year—I’d feel guilty about it forever.
“I’ll do it,” I said as I stepped into the store, making Devin look away from the t-shirts he was folding.
His eyes widened, and then softened, eyes lighting up. Like this was what he’d wanted. Like he wasgrateful.
“You really don’t have to,” he said, taking a step toward me.
Most people moved toward me with varying levels of caution, but Devin was confident. He’d never been wary of me. Not once, not even when he was little and I was tall for my age.
“Haven’t had a break in a while.” I shrugged. “Seems like a good opportunity. Where’re we going, anyway?”
“Green Mountain National Forest. I know it’s not all that far, but…”
“No, sounds nice. Are we, umm… camping, or…?”
“Oh hell no,” Devin said, breaking into a smile. “I’ve camped enough, I never want another mosquito bite on my ass again. We’re getting a good deal from Chris’ boyfriend’s dad. He owns a cabin park up there that’s near the competition site. They met when we went skiing up that way last winter. It’s so pretty, you wanna see pictures?” he asked, already reaching for his phone.
Devin wasthrilledthat I’d agreed to go.
Which meant I’d made the right choice. He needed my help, and I was giving it to him.
“Uh…”
“Oh, I’m keeping you, huh?” Devin asked, rubbing the back of his neck and blushing.
He wassopretty when he blushed.
“You have to get back to work,” he added. “But, umm. Are we still on for dinner?”
“Absolutely,” I said without thinking about it. Devin wasasking me to dinner.
I wasn’t about to say no. Despite knowing he wasn’t interested, there was still some part of me that wanted to believe he’d look at me someday and see someone he could date.
Besides, we needed to talk about what he wanted from me, and I didn’t have anything better to do tonight. Spending it with a friend was more fun than spending it alone.
“I’ll swing by after you guys close to pick you up?” I asked.
Devin lit up again.
I could really have gotten used to that.
“That’d be perfect. Thank you so much,” he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet and then, before I could react, surging forward for another hug, standing on his tiptoes and throwing his arms around my neck, pressing close to me.
When he brushed a kiss over my cheek, my heart threatened to burst.
