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“Now you’re just being kind. I know I had a sleep mask stuck to my head.”

I chuckle. “I wear one myself, and a snuggler in the winter months.”

She slaps my arm as she giggles.

“What’s going on here?” A voice booms from the doorway. We both jump in unison and Ainsley springs apart from between my legs.

Principal Stuber hovers with her hands on her hips, like she caught us doing something bad.

“Um, nothing… I mean, I was just helping Cole with his hand…” Ainsley reaches down and picks the ice pack from off the floor and places it back on my hand. “He hurt it and we didn’t want it to swell, so I put some ice on it.”

She’s so cute when she’s fumbling with her words.

It doesn’t appear that the old bird believes us. I mean, her bullshit radar is legendary.

I wave my good hand at her, but she doesn’t even look at me. It seems my charms don’t stretch as far as grouchy old women who seriously need a makeover, or a vacation. She’s had the same scraped-back-hair-in-a-tight-bun for as long as I’ve been alive, and she barely ever smiles. You’d think an 80’s themed dance with streamers, glitter and happy kids would be enough for her to crack a smile, but it ain’t our lucky night.

“Mmhm, well, best get back to your stations.” Her tone is dismissive as she turns and stalks off.

I wait a few moments, then we both burst out laughing. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in my entire life. “I guess webetter get back before the bitch comes back.”

“I guess we better.”

“We could grab some burgers or something after?” I suggest, hopeful.

“I’d love to, but I promised the girls I’d hang out with them. I’m sure they won’t mind me canceling?”

I squeeze her chin. “Rain check? Don’t wanna piss off the girls with your fake boyfriend takin’ up girl time.”

She presses her lips together, and I resist the urge to kiss her again. “Well, I’m holding you to that fake date. It’ll get the town’s tongues wagging after what you did to Drake.”

I can’t help but feel a little smug about that now. Knowing his nose is rearranged gives me temporary satisfaction. “Well, he should choose his words more wisely. I regret nothing.”

I slide off the bench, taking the ice pack with me. It’s not that it really hurts, but if it makes Ainsley feel better that I keep it on, then that’s what I’ll do. We walk in silence back toward the gym.

“I’m just glad he’s gone.” She wraps her arms around herself, and I can’t help but notice she does that a lot. “We don’t need him ruining the night for everyone else.”

“I’m sorry he hurt you the way he did.”

She pops a shoulder, and her eyes drop. “It’s okay.”

“If I forget to say it later, I had a nice time tonight,” I say.

She looks back up at me. “I did too, thanks Cole. I don’t think I’ve laughed as hard as when I do when I’m with you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should. Making people laugh is a gift, and it’s underrated.”

“Couldn’t agree more. There should be way more laughing in the world. Everything is so serious.”

“Well, just so you know, I appreciate your humor.”

My fingers tingle to touch her, to shove her up against the lockers and show her what she’s been missing all his time. But my inner schoolboy better just behave himself. That last thing we need is Coach or Principal Stuber barking at either one of us.

“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me.”

Our eyes meet, and she’s smiling. “I certainly hope not. I meant it when I said you were manly earlier, I think that definitely tops humor.”