Page 39 of The Surprise Play

I own one pair of jeans. It’s probably worth pulling them out again. I could pair them with?—

“Do you like milkshakes?”

“Huh?”

“I know, stupid question. Everybody likes milkshakes. I’m a chocolate guy, and I’m guessing you’re a…” He glances at me, his lips curling into a smile. “I’m gonna go strawberry.”

My lips twitch, and I hate to correct him, but… my nose wrinkles. “I hate strawberry.”

“Damn, I thought I was on the money with that one.”

I can’t help a grin.

He glances at me, his eyebrow arching. “So, you gonna make me keep guessing?”

“Oh, um, salted caramel is probably my top pick.”

“Nice.”

“Followed closely by plain ol’ vanilla.”

“Hey, it’s a classic. Nothing wrong with that.”

His smile is broad and beautiful, and I catch its full beam as we drive through the well-lit intersection. Thisstrange feeling bubbles in my stomach, and I work to ignore it.

“So, why are we talking about milkshakes?”

“Because we’re going to the best diner in town for milkshakes. They’re thick and creamy and all things good.”

“Are you allowed them, Mr. Football Player?”

“You bet I am.” He raises his eyebrows. “Or at least that’s what I’m gonna keep telling myself. With the number of calories I burn in training, I can get away with a milkshake or two.” His wink is adorable, and I force my gaze away from it.

He makes my cheeks hot.

I don’t like it.

Or maybe I kinda do.

My stomach bubbles again, and I try to squash the feeling by talking about Captain Ahab and the types of food his crew probably ate on thePequot.

“Ugh. I hate to think.” Wily shakes his head. “Let me just enjoy the fact that we get to eat delicious diner food.” He laughs. “Unless you think I should be mentioning his diet in my essay.”

“No, you don’t… He doesn’t… That’s probably not relevant.”

“Oh good. Because I don’t think my brain can handle too much more.”

I let out a nervous titter and try to remind him, “You’re capable of more than you think.”

He doesn’t respond, and we’re left with BNL tunes. I resist the urge to sing along with “Odds Are”—one of my favorites—and stare out the window until he’s pulling into a diner parking lot that makes me think of home.

It’s not as retro as our family diner, but the booths and the smells that hit me the second I walk through the door make me pine for Fledgling.

I miss my family so much sometimes.

Thank God they’re only forty-five minutes away.

Still. It’s not like I’m having dinner with them every night, and sometimes I get hit with the biggest wave of homesickness.