Missions one, two, and three are complete. Though I’m not sure how successful I’ve been staying cool in his presence, but he hasn’t run away so I’m calling it a win.
“The town has its good points.”
“When lockdown is lifted, I’ll take you to the best places. We’ll go bowling, trampolining—”
“Trampolining?”
I wave my hand. “You’ll love it. There’s also an awesome music store, lots of instruments and old vinyls.”
He rests his arms on his knees. “I want to hear how bad you are at guitar.”
“Your ears will bleed.”
“I’ll take my chances. I’ll teach you.”
“I’m totally up for that.” The words leave my mouth far too quickly. Abort mission ‘Be Cool,’ it’s never gonna happen.
He laughs. “I thought you would be.”
“We could start a band,” I joke. “Who will sing?”
“I used to sing.”
“And play the guitar?”
“I can walk and talk at the same time, too,” he says sarcastically.
“Oh my god, you’re hilarious.”
He rolls his eyes and smiles.
“What happened to your old band?”
Shrugging, he replies, “I moved away.”
“You can start a new one.”
“With you?”
“No, not really. I do suck. I’ll be up front cheering.”
“Hmm, I’ve always liked the idea of having a groupie.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You might not be that good yet.”
I could listen to him laugh all day.
“What’s the first thing you’re going to do when restrictions are lifted?” I ask.
“Drive around town with my tour guide.”
“Right. Trampoline park.”
He raises an eyebrow as if I’ve suggested we do each other’s makeup.
“Our first date isn’t going to be at a trampoline park.”
Oh. A date. A date.
Off you pop, COVID. I’ve got a date with Archer, and I can’t wait!
The Ebsons begin their second set, playing “All About You.”
I glance over just as Archer’s gaze falls to my lips. Curling my fingers into my palms, I take a breath and count back from ten. You are not going to jump over there. You are not going to even acknowledge the fact that he wants to kiss you.
We’re not allowed to get kissing close.
But one day we will.
—
About six hours later, I sit with my back against the tree and look up. The sky is the color of Archer’s eyes. The party is over, my parents are inside watching a movie, but I’m too restless to sleep.
I’m not surprised when I hear him climb the tree. The surprise is that he has a rucksack on his back.
He sits on his branch, and I look up to see his profile. Then he turns his head and the intensity in his face almost knocks me out of the tree.
“Hey,” he says, raking his hand through his dark hair.
“You went inside an hour ago. Are you sleepwalking? I’m not carrying you downstairs and putting you back to bed.”
Whatever he was expecting me to say, it wasn’t that. His lips press tightly together as he fails to suppress his amusement. His eyes give him away, they’re doing the smiling.
“I’m fine, thanks, Quinn. How are you?”
I laugh and shake my head.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine. I like my tree.”
I vowed to never come up here again but thanks to him, it’s my happy place again. It’s calming. He’s given me that gift and it feels amazing.
He nods. “The tree is…”
“Perfect.”
“Let’s not go that far.”
“You’re acting chill, but you love the tree and you like it here. You never say much, not about how you feel anyway. I dare you to admit it.”
His eyes light up. “You dare me? Are we seven?”
“Chicken.”
He blinks heavily.
“Yes, I called you a chicken.”
I’m either talking so fast and so much that he can’t keep up or talking absolute crap. I need to find a saner middle ground.
“I’m not falling for that, Ace.”
“Do you like living here? I think you do; you’ve been smiling the last couple of days. It’s the first time I’ve seen it.”
“Just how much have you been stalking me?”
“Observing,” I correct. Anyone have a fan for my face? It’s on fire.
He rolls his eyes. “Sure. I don’t hate it here.”
“That’s about as good as I’m going to get, isn’t it? I thought things went well tonight. We had a good time, right? I mean we talked a lot and ate a lot. Everyone had fun.”
His lips part. “Is your head the same as your mouth?”
“Excuse me?”
“When you’re thinking, is your brain going nonstop?”
“Oh. Yeah, it’s pretty much like a constant tornado of thoughts in my head.”
“Do you ever have bad days? I have this theory that you’re some sort of robot. Like a government experiment to put one in the community and see if anyone notices.”
“If that were true, I’d go back, get a software update, and finish school now.”
He laughs again.
“You know, I’ve thought that you are either a vampire or a werewolf.”
“What do you think now? Oh, and I totally had you pegged as a Twilight fan.”
“Team Edward all the way, baby. Now I think you’re all right.”
“I’m all right. Try not to inflate the ego too much, Quinn.”
I laugh. “Do you still think I’m a robot?”
He takes the coin out of his pocket and passes it from finger to finger. “No. Now I think you’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met.”
He couldn’t have surprised me more if he pushed me out of the tree.
A laugh rumbles through the tree. “Wow, that’s how you silence Quinn Reeve.”
I’m surprised my mouth isn’t hanging open.
Words exist. Why can’t I think of a single one?
Tilting his head back, he laughs and grips the coin in his palm like he’s scared he’ll drop it. “I think I like your shocked face the most.”
I snap my teeth together. I’m incredible and he likes my face.
Taking a breath to compose myself—it doesn’t work—I sit up straighter.
“My best face is my shocked one?” I rasp. My stupid voice is wobbly, making me sound like an absolute idiot.
“All right, you got me. Your smile is better. The best, actually.”
“Have you had coffee?” I ask. What is going on here?
I’m rewarded with yet another laugh. “No,
