“
Jo!” I heard a voice call.
I straightened just in time to see Alex dash up the front walk.
“I thought you had practice,” I said.
“Cancelled,” Alex said shortly. He made the front porch and pushed back the hood of the sweatshirt he had on beneath his letterman’s jacket. His breathing was quick, as if he’d run all the way from school. “I tried to catch you guys but you’d already gone.”
“Elaine’s at her house,” I said.
Alex gave an exasperated laugh and moved to put his hands on my shoulders, a thing that pretty much made me forget all about my dad’s car in the drive. Apparently Alex had decided that the waiting period was over.
“I didn’t sprint ten blocks to see Elaine,” he said. “I came to see you. There’s something I want to ask you, Jo.”
“No, you can’t borrow my math homework,” I said.
“Shut up, you idiot,” Alex said, giving me a shake. “I want you to go with me to the prom.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. An action which no doubt made me look exactly like a fish out of water.
“That wasn’t a question,” I finally said.
Alex rolled his eyes. “Do you want to know why I like you?” he asked. “It took me a while, but I figured it out. It’s because you’re so impossible.”
A laugh bubbled up and out before I could stop it.
“Impossible,” I repeated. “What about annoying?”
“That too,” Alex nodded. “You’re impossible and annoying and unpredictable. Will you please go with me to the prom?”
“Aren’t you worried about what will happen if I say yes?” I asked.
“Uh-uh,” Alex shook his head. “I’m only worried that you’ll say no.”
“I’m not going to do that,” I answered steadily. “Thank you, Alex. I’d love to go with you to the prom.”
For a moment, he simply stood, his hands on my shoulders. “You’d better hold still,” he warned.
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’m going to kiss you now.”
Words failed me. Which turned out to be a very good thing as, for the next few minutes, I needed my lips for something else anyhow.
The kiss ended and Alex eased back. There was an expression on his face I’d never seen before. Sort of startled and blank all at once, as if he’d just discovered something he hadn’t expected but couldn’t quite put a name to.
“Well,” he said.
“Bet you say that to all the girls,” I replied.
“I’m that obvious, huh?”
“Actually, no.”
“Now who’s being nice?” Alex said. He stuck his hands in his pockets. “So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I said. He turned, and I watched him sprint off down the walk. It was only then that I realized I was still clutching my sopping wet shoes.
Very smooth, Jo. No wonder the guy can’t resist you, I thought.
”
”