Page 59 of Chasing the Dream

“So, you don’t think I’m a creeper, then?”

She shook her head and moved further into the room. “For the record, I like how you smell too.”

He swallowed hard. It was a small thing to admit, but it felt huge to him. If they were admitting this, what else might they divulge?

“Earlier, when you loaned me your sweatshirt—I didn’t want to give it back because it smelled like you.”

“You can keep it if you want. I have ten more just like it.”

She laughed. “Are you going to give me your letterman jacket too?”

“I would if I still had it. I gave it to a girlfriend and never got it back.”

“If I keep your sweatshirt, I feel like I should give you something in return.”

His breath hitched. “Your tank top might be a little snug on me.”

“I’m not talking about my top.”

She took another step forward and stopped right in front of him. He couldn’t move back because his legs were already touching the bed, and he couldn’t move forward without brushing up against her. He was trapped in the best possible way. Something had shifted between them, and he felt like he’d stepped into a fantasy even though it was broad daylight.

“What, then?”

“How about a kiss?”

He didn’t have time to process her request, because, right then, Maria shouted from the bottom of the stairs. “Time to eat!”

“Coming,” he yelled back. Then he looked at Morgan. “We’ll revisit this.”

“Promise?”

“Absolutely.”

He motioned to the door and then followed her out, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. How was he expected to eat dinner with his family after this? They were probably wondering what had taken him and Morgan so long upstairs. His parents had been acting funny all day, and now they had even more cause to be suspicious. How was he going to get through the rest of the weekend?

“There you are,” Brenda said, beaming at them as they came into the kitchen.

His parents and Maria were already seated, and Maria was busy buttering a slice of homemade bread. “What took you so long?” she asked without looking up.

“I was just showing Gabe what I bought today,” Morgan replied smoothly as she slid into her seat.

Naturally, there was only one chair left, and it was right next to hers. Gabe avoided eye contact with his family while he sat down.

“What did you think of the coffee mug?” Maria asked, glancing at Gabe.

“It was…nice. Can you pass the bread, please?”

“Nice? Don’t you mean funny? It says Arizona, But it’s a dry heat!”

Everyone laughed except Gabe. He concentrated on piling food on his plate and prayed for a change of subject.

“What else did you buy, Morgan?” Brenda asked.

“A new bathing suit.”

Great! Just what he wanted to hear. He crammed the slice of bread in his mouth so he wouldn’t have to partake in the conversation.

“It’s really cute, and it looks great on her,” Maria gushed.