Page 55 of The Crafting Con

“No, I’m still one hundred percent down for prom.”

His face brightens. “Whew. Had me worried you were gonna bail on me there for a second, Aimes.”

“I would never. Not when formal wear is involved,” I add teasingly. Okay, Ava. You can do this. Make it clear you only see him as a friend. No misunderstandings. I take a deep breath, and press on. “I just wanted to⁠—”

The warning bell rings, cutting me off, and I let out a growl of frustration.

Tyler laughs, backing away down the hall. “Coach will have my head if I’m late to homeroom. Talk at lunch? I’ll meet you outside by the bleachers.”

I’d been hoping to see Declan at lunch, but clearing things up with Tyler first feels like the right thing to do. And we’ll certainly have a lot more privacy out there than we do here in the hall.

“Okay, yeah.” I nod as he reaches the classroom. “I’ll see you then.”

Declan will just have to wait.

A light drizzle mists my face when I step outside at lunchtime, pulling the hood of my sweatshirt up over my hair as my gaze swings to the metal bleachers. They’re empty, so I take to the track, strides brisk while I make my way around the field. The motion keeps me warm but does little to calm my nerves.

What do I even say? It’s not like he’s professed actual feelings. I mean, yes, asking me to prom feels like a bit of a confession, but not once have the words “I like you” ever been uttered.

My legs pick up speed, falling into a jog. I round the far end of the track, and there’s Tyler, watching me from the bleachers. He waves and holds up a brown paper bag. My stomach hollows.

You can do this. Just be open and honest.

My heart is racing from more than just exertion as I approach the bleacher steps. Climb the short flight to where Tyler sits.

“Hey.” I smile and gesture toward the rain-speckled bench. “Aren’t your pants gonna get wet sitting there?”

He shrugs and pulls a turkey sub from the bag. “Eh, it’s cool. A damp butt never hurt anyone, as far as I know.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Still, I take a moment to wipe the spot next to him with my sleeve before sitting down. I’m already uncomfortable enough. “So.” I take a deep breath and turn to look him in the eye. “I just wanted to clear the air about something, maybe it’s nothing, but like, just to be super sure and all…”

He bites into his sandwich. Quirks a brow.

Just say it already. “That is, I just wanted to clarify that, while I always have a blast hanging out with you, and you are by far the nicest guy I know, my feelings for you are that of a friend. Nothing more. I… I hope that’s okay.”

He slowly chews, swallows.

My heart lodges somewhere in the vicinity of my throat while I wait for his response.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he says, “Yeah, I kind of figured as much.”

My heart drops back into my chest. “You did?”

He gives me a sheepish smile. “At the risk of sounding vain, I’ve been on the receiving end of other people’s affections a fair number of times. I know when someone is crushing on me, and it’s never been you.”

“Oh. Well, that’s good, I guess.” I frown. “Only, if you already knew I wasn’t into you that way, why did you ask me to prom in the first place? There are literally tons of girls who would have leaped at the chance to go with you.”

He shrugs. “Stasia was really into the idea of us doubling, and it’s not like I had anyone else in mind. Besides”—he grins, eyes twinkling—“you are seriously hot, and once, when we were all eating breakfast at Sal’s, Ben said he was going to try to break their record for the most servings of bottomless hashbrowns consumed, and you said ‘Do or do not. There is no try.’ And it kinda blew my mind, ’cause I’d never heard anyone in our friend group drop a Star Wars quote like that.” He lets out a soft chuckle. “Never woulda pegged you for a fellow nerd.”

Huh. I hadn’t even meant to say that, it just kind of slipped out from habit. I honestly didn’t think anyone noticed. Who would’ve guessed Tyler Denning, of all people, would be the one who appreciated the reference? Not me.

I smile. “So, no hard feelings?”

“None whatsoever.” He goes in for another bite of his sandwich, but pauses at the last minute. “Oh, and good luck with Declan. I think the two of you are going to make an awesome couple.”

Heat blisters my cheeks. “What?”

He smirks. “That is why you finally decided to”—he makes air quotes—“clear the air, isn’t it? So you could get together with Dec?”