Page 77 of Seein’ Red

“Actually, doesn’t sound like that bad of an idea.”

Nash throws his head back, a roar of laughter erupting from his chest. It’s a beautiful sound that releases the butterflies in my tummy. They swarm around, making me feel light and airy, almost like I am drunk.

Drunk on him.

“How ’bout I walk you home first? Probably about time we get you out of those shoes. My feet hurt looking at you in those things.”

I look down at my feet. The sparkly, strappy sandals I’ve been wearing all day glimmer in the dim light of the tent. As far as heels go, these things are fairly tame. The heel is only three inches and it’s not like it’s a stiletto. He’s seen me walk in shoes that were a lot more torturous than these.

More concerning than my shoes is the chipped toenail polish. When did that happen?

Still, I slip them off, wiggle my toes in the stamped-down grass of the field, enjoying the feel of it. I smile and sigh, handing Nash my shoes and linking my arm in his.

“These things might as well be slippers compared to the shoes I wore when I was crowned.”

“Those things looked like murder weapons.”

“Look at you two!” Mrs. Chamberlain’s voice rings out, cutting through my thoughts and stealing my reply. My eyes go wide, matching Nash’s, the two of us instantly reading each other’s mind.

Oh, here we go…

“Nash, Willa…you two put on quite the little show!” Her voice is sing-songy, or maybe that’s the slight slur in her words. I might be the one holding a bottle, but she’s definitely the one who had too much. “I don’t know how you coordinated that, but boy, was it entertaining.”

Coordinated. She thinks we planned this. Nash and I share another look, this time both of us trying to suppress a laugh. Hate to break it to our former teacher, but there is no way I could have planned any of this. Actually, had someone told me any of this even a few days ago, I would have laughed them right out of town.

“We told you there would be a few surprises, didn’t we?” Nash replies, much quicker on his feet than I am.

“You did, you did,” she titters, wobbling slightly. Mr. Chamberlain is right there, though, to steady her.

For the first time, maybe ever, I study them. Mr. Chamberlain is a quiet, very reserved man, the complete opposite of his wife, who would have a conversation with a wall if she thought it might listen. Somehow though, they work. They complement each other.

“Now, if only it were real.”

And there it is.

“That’s enough, Gail. Let’s let these kids get home. They’ve had a long day. Besides, I’ve got plans for you.”

A giggle from Mrs. C, plus a waggle of his eyebrows, and the two bid us goodnight, shuffling out of the tent, faster than I’ve ever seen either one move.

“Ummm, ewww,” Nash comments once they’re out of earshot.

“We can file that under things I never needed to experience.”

“Although, not to steal his line or anything, but…there are a couple of things I’ve got in mind as well…”

“Sounds much better coming from you.”

Holding out his elbow, Nash leads me out of the tent, stopping briefly at a table to grab my bag as well as another duffle I don’t recognize. Unzipping it, he tosses my shoes inside without a second thought, then throws it over his shoulder.

The bank is all of a tenth of a mile from the library, making our walk very short. Still, we take our time, enjoying the beautiful evening. There’s a tinge of coolness to the air, reminding us that it’s still spring, but the sky is clear as can be, the stars shining down on us.

"Hold tight,” Nash says, as we reach the door of the building.

“Why?” I ask, the question only half out of my mouth as he scoops me up, like a fireman carrying someone out of a burning building, and proceeds to jog up the stairs.

I squeal, half laughing, half shocked. “Nash! Put me down!”

“Shhhhh, you’ll disturb Ewan.”