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“I’m just saying . . . if I were twenty years younger, you’d have some competition. Hell, I think I’d rather have two twenty-year-olds than one forty-year-old.”
“Mom, please.” I haven’t laughed this much in a long time. “You gotta stop saying things like that.”
“I suppose. But there’s no reason for you to hold back.” She pulls her eyes from the screen to study my face. “If he can make you smile like this, I like him.”
My smile widens. “Me, too.”
“You know, The Breakfast Club is playing at the drive-in Thursday night. You should go.”
A loud laugh bursts out of me. “I don’t think so. And since when does the drive-in show old eighties movies?”
“They’re playing classic teen movies all week for spring break. I think tonight is Say Anything.”
“Are you kidding me?” My jaw drops, and I snatch the iPad from her fingers.
“Hey, be careful!”
My fingers tremble as I search up the show times for the Comet. As soon as I find what I’m looking for, I shove the iPad back into Mom’s hands and leap off the couch.
“Where are you going?” she calls after me.
Grinning, I take the stairs two at a time. “I need to arrange a kidnapping.”
“Don’t forget to pack condoms!”
When I walk into the Beanery a couple of hours later, Jordan is filling the glass case with baked goods. He meticulously places each cinnamon roll, keeping the seams to the back and leaving the same amount of space between them. I clear my throat, and he lifts his head.
He does a double take when he sees me. “Kennedy? Wow, you look nice.”
“Thanks.” Suddenly bashful, I lower my eyes. I have no idea what else to say.
“Is everything okay?” His gaze meets mine. “Did you want coffee?”
“No.” I shake my head.
His eyebrows come together as if he’s solving an intricate puzzle. Confusion looks good on him.
My throat thickens as I get the words out. “I mean yes, everything’s fine. No, I don’t want coffee.”
“Did you stop by just to say hi?” He places the last pastry in the case then wipes his hands on his apron.
“Actually . . .” I take a deep breath. “I’ve come to kidnap you.”
As my words sink in, a slow grin spreads across his lips. “I need to ask—”
Jenny pops her head out of the kitchen and swats him with a towel. “Kennedy called ahead. Go on. Get out of here. And have a good time!”
“We will.” Jordan tosses his apron to Jenny, grabs my hand, and leads me out of the building. He stops in front of his Jeep and rests his forehead against mine. “Now that you have me, whatever will you do with me?”
I flash a quick grin. “It’s a surprise.”
He takes a step closer until our chests press together. “What if I don’t like surprises?”
“Oh, I think you’ll like this one.” I step back before he can kiss me.
He gives me another quizzical look and pulls his keys from his pocket.
“Nope, not this time.” Before he can press the unlock button on his remote, I drag him to the passenger side of my rusty blue Corolla and open the door for him.
