Page 311 of Faking the Goal

I swear, if Caroline could see me right now, she'd never let me live this down.

"You still there?" he asks, amusement creeping back into his voice.

"Mhm." I clear my throat, trying to sound far more composed than I actually feel. "You should probably focus on driving before your mom has to rescue you from a fender bender."

His chuckle is warm enough to send another ridiculous wave of butterflies through my stomach.

"Probably."

"I'll see you in a bit."

"You will."

"And, Ken-chan?"

"Yeah?"

"Drive safely."

"I will, Trouble."

The call ends, leaving me standing in the middle of the living room with the biggest grin I've worn in... maybe ever.

I clutch my phone against my chest, let out the squeal I've been desperately holding in, and spin once on the spot before dissolving into a fit of giggles.

Good grief.

I feel like a sixteen-year-old with her very first crush.

I let out one last squeal before forcing myself to get a grip.

"Okay," I mutter, fanning my burning face. "Pull yourself together, Taylor."

I smooth the front of my dress, check my reflection in the hallway mirror one last time, and laugh quietly at myself.

Heaven help me.

Kentaro Azuma has turned me into a giggling idiot.

I grab my purse and keys before heading for the front door.

Outside, the evening has already settled in. The last traces of daylight have disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving the driveway bathed in the soft glow of the porch lights and a few scattered streetlamps. The air is warm, carrying the faint scent of saltwater as I lock the front door behind me.

My car sits where I'd parked it earlier, tucked near the corner of the driveway.

I catch myself almost skipping.

Actually...

No "almost" about it.

I am skipping.

If anyone could see me right now, I'd never recover from the embarrassment.

I skip over a crack in the asphalt and dig through my bag for my keys. When I finally find them, I press the unlock button.

The car chirps.