Page 123 of When Ben Loved Tim

I catch a hint of longing, like he wouldn’t mind taking me to prom. Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part.

“We’re ready!” Allison calls. “Are you?”

“Yeah!” I holler. In a quieter voice, I say, “You’ve got this. Get out there and take first prize!”

Tim puffs up his chest and struts out of the dressing room. Ronnie, by comparison, slinks out of his booth with a hangdog expression.

“Oh my god, I love it!” Allison cries.

“Me too!” I declare while surveying them both.

The shirt pops against Ronnie’s dark skin. When his girlfriend starts clapping, causing him to smile, he does indeed look dashing. But not many guys have killer silver eyes or such impressive pecs. Although we both start fanning ourselves when our boyfriends strike different poses. My favorite is when they lean against each other. Ronnie puts a hand on his chin, looking both thoughtful and cool. Tim tilts his head and raises an eyebrow, as if in invitation. They’d make a smoking-hot couple. Especially with me in the middle. I file that fantasy away for later.

“All right, all right,” Ronnie says at last. “Have you two had your fill?”

“You should both buy that shirt,” I say.

“But not those slacks,” Allison adds.

“I was thinking the same thing,” I say in surprise. “Black would have been a better choice.”

Allison nods. “But still the same style. Actually, if you guys wait, we can grab a pair for you to try.”

Ronnie arches an eyebrow at Tim. “Oh hell no!”

“Yeah, we’re done here,” my boyfriend agrees.

They wordlessly return to their dressing rooms, shutting us out.

“Let’s buy the shirts,” I whisper.

Allison nods. “Agreed.”

We’re waiting in line not long after, the two cashiers clearly overwhelmed. I suspect some stores do that on purpose, so we’re forced to stare at the displays of impulse items that corral us in.

“How come you’re still carrying that shirt around?” Ronnie asks, noticing at last.

“So my boyfriend can wear it on our next date,” she replies.

“It’s not really my style,” he retorts.

“I didn’t sayyou,” Allison teases. “I said my boyfriend. We’ll see who that is by then.”

Ronnie laughs. “You really thought I looked good in it?”

“Some guys are so insecure,” I stage-whisper to Tim.

Although he doesn’t seem to hear me. He’s gone rigid as he stares at something behind him. Then he quickly turns around and glares at my puzzlement. He shakes his head rapidly when I begin leaning to see past him. “Stop looking at me,” he says like a ventriloquist, his lips barely moving. He snatches a pair of socks from the display closest to us. “Seriously!” he hisses. “Turn around!”

I do as he commands, shrugging at Allison and Ronnie, who have noticed his behavior. Tim must have spotted someone from our school. “I’m glad you’re getting that dress,” I say to Allison. “Although it would be fun to figure out a matching outfit we could both wear for our next double date.”

“Or that all four of us could wear,” she says with a laugh. “That would be the height of cheesiness!”

We’re hashing out ideas when I hear a woman’s voice behind us.

“Tim?”

I glance over my shoulder—I can’t help it—and see Stacy. And she definitely notices me! Her brow creases slightly before I turn toward the front again.