Page 65 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

“I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“You laugh when you're tired.”

I stare at him. “That's a weird thing to say.”

“Need you to know I’m paying attention.”

My heart promptly forgets how to function. Completely. For several seconds.

“Can we give you ladies a ride?” Tommy asks.

I glance toward Tessa, then toward the half mile walk ahead, then back to Tessa, who narrows her eyes.

I decide she’ll get over it faster than I’ll get over an entire twenty-minute walk with angry legs, wondering why I’d say no. “Sure.”

Tommy grins like I just handed him the state trophy. “Thanks for accepting.”

“Yeah, thanks, Jade,” Tessa grumbles as Tommy opens the door and slides into the back seat beside me.

“You're welcome.” I tell her, trying and failing not to smile.

“Looks like you're up here with me, Tessa Ross,” Lucas says.

“Oh my, I feel⁠—”

“Honored?” he supplies.

“Not the word I was looking for, but whatever.”

I barely hear the rest.

Tommy's shoulder brushes mine as he settles in, long legs somehow finding room in the cramped back seat. The smell of grass, sweat, and whatever detergent his mom uses hits me first.

Then his grin. That stupid grin.

“Comfortable?” he asks.

“No.”

“Good. Me neither.”

I laugh.

“Look.” He points through the glass T-top overhead. “That cloud looks like a heart.”

“It does not.”

“It absolutely does.” He points again. “And over there. Flowers.”

I follow his finger. “Those are definitely not flowers.”

I shake my head, laughing.

“Looks like even the angels are in my corner.”

The smile slips for just a second, hopefully not enough for him to notice.