Page 48 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“I already told you there’s a wall between us. What else do you want me to say? That I think she’s the smartest, sweetest, prettiest, spectacular girl I’ve ever seen?” My eyes widen and my lips press together. “I mean…”

“Oh my gosh. That’s adorable. Youdolike her.”

“I’m ending the call.”

“Okay, okay. We won’t talk about Lexi, but if you like her…”

I shake my head. “I’m focusing on rebuilding our friendship. We did a puzzle together last night and were close to each other…” I stop talking. Why am I telling all this to my sister? She’ll read too much into it.

“And…?” she demands.

“And nothing. We’re justfriends, Zoey. I really don’t want to mess this up. I don’t want to lose her as a friend again. That’ll kill me.”

She nods in understanding. “Okay. You should do what you feel is best. But promise you’ll update me on everything. I want to know when you guys kiss.”

“Goodbye, Zoey.”

She waves and ends the call. I sit for a few minutes, replaying our conversation. When we were younger, Zoey hated romance. She always scoffed when Rylee and Mia were obsessed with romantic books and movies. But ever since she fell in love with Kade, she’s been obsessed with romance, too. I know she means well and wants to see me and Lexi happy, but maybe friends is the best we could be. My heart tries to tell me that it wants more, but I push it away.

***

Uncle Zack, Aunt Ally, Uncle Brayden, and Aunt Kara are coming over for dinner, along with Noah, Evie, and their daughter, Melody. Mom and Dad have been in the kitchen for hours preparing the meal. I snuck in every so often to taste thefood, which is delicious, and to offer to help, but they told me to focus on my homework.

I haven’t seen Evie or Noah in a long time, but we video chatted often when I was in Boston. And I’ve never met Melly in person. She’ll be a year old in a few months.

I help my parents set the table, and a few minutes later, the doorbell rings. Mom answers, inviting my aunts and uncles inside. After greetings and hugs are exchanged, we gather in the living room.

“I know we don’t want to spoil our dinner,” Aunt Kara says with a light laugh. She reaches into the bag she’s holding and produces a container. “I baked cookies.”

“Yum,” I say. Aunt Kara makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world.

“I already had two today,” Uncle Brayden informs us as he reaches into the container. “But I’ll never say no to more.”

“Hey.” Aunt Kara playfully whacks him in the chest. “Save some for others, too.”

“Only taking one, I swear.” He takes a huge bite.

The rest of us grab cookies as well and don’t stop complimenting Aunt Kara on her amazing baking skills. Once we’re satisfied with our treats, we sit down on the couches and chairs.

I drop down near Uncle Zack, who wraps an arm around me, just like he did last week when he and Aunt Ally came over for dinner. Aunt Ally sits next to him while Uncle Brayden and Aunt Kara sit near my parents.

Uncle Zack is a social worker, helping kids in the foster care system. He and Dad were foster kids, so it’s his life mission to find good homes for kids.

“How’s it going?” he asks me.

“Good.”

Aunt Ally bends to look at me. “Did you finish all your homework?”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry to be all teacher mode on you,” she says sheepishly. “It’s a habit.”

“It’s cool. Shows that you care.”

She stretches over her husband to pat my hand. “Of course we do.”

“Read any good books?” Uncle Zack asks me.