[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.“Sorry,” she said.“My aunt makes me leave my sarcasm at home before I go anywhere with her.I brought it with me tonight because I was afraid it was starting to get lonely without me.”The crease between Sam’s eyebrows only deepened, and now Leanne and Billy were staring at her with the same bewildered expressions.Okay, just shut up before you humiliate yourself.More than you already have, that is.Rosaline picked up her menu and studied it like it was profound literature.The waitress came and took their orders, taking away the menu Rosaline was hiding behind and leaving her with no idea what to say next.Leanne folded her arms on the table.“Has anyone told you about Mudtown Days yet? It’s this big celebration at the end of the month, and you won’t believe how crazy this little town gets.There’s a carnival and food and car shows and a dance.You can’t miss it.”“I’ll be there,” Rosaline said.“As long as Dafne approves it, of course.”“She should.She helps out every year.”Sam rubbed his fingers along the top of Rosaline’s shoulder.“Why’s your aunt so strict? She gave me the third-degree over the phone.”“She isn’t really.” At Sam’s skeptical expression she added, “It’s my parents.They send me half a country away but still insist on hovering.”Even tonight, Dafne had told her she worried she shouldn’t have said yes to letting her go out.Then she said it was probably best if she called it hanging out with a group instead of a date.“It’s not really lying,” Dafne had blurted out, a guilty look on her face.The more Rosaline was around her aunt, the more she loved her.“Why’d they send you out here then?” Leanne asked.That question got everyone’s attention.Oh boy.Guess it was inevitable anyway.She wondered how long her mistake would haunt her.“I, um, got into a bit of trouble in Verona.So they sent me here, away from my friends and…pretty much everything.”“Ooh.A bad girl,” Billy said.“Sam’s never done anything wrong in his life.You’ll have to ease him into it.”Great.These people didn’t get her, and now they had the totally wrong impression.“It’s not like that at all.I’m actually a good Catholic school girl.”Sam nudged her with his elbow.“I bet you look hot in your uniform.”Here she was mentally rehashing the worst moment of her life, and he was talking about her uniform.This was a mistake.I should’ve stayed home.Luckily, the food showed up and the conversation switched to that.After they’d finished eating and were leaving the restaurant, Sam hung back, slowing so that Leanne and Billy got farther ahead of him and Rosaline.“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said.“Billy talks before he thinks.I could see you were uncomfortable, so I was trying to lighten the mood.I think I failed.”Rosaline ran a hand through her hair.“I’m not proud of what I did.I’m embarrassed, actually, and I just want to put it behind me.”“Well as far as I’m concerned, it’s forgotten.” He shot her a big smile.Now she was having second thoughts about her second thoughts.Here he was trying to make her feel better, and doing a good job of it, too.“Thanks.”“Hey,” Billy yelled.“Piggyback race to the town square? Loser buys ice cream.”“You’re on,” Sam said, grabbing Rosaline’s hand and tugging her toward his friends.Leanne climbed onto Billy’s back, and Sam gestured for her to get on his.“It’s this thing we do.It’s stupid, but I need you to go with it, or else I’ll have to hear about how I chickened out all night.”Rosaline glanced at Leanne and Billy and then reluctantly climbed onto Sam’s back.I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.Sam gripped her thighs.“Hold on.”She tightened her grip around his shoulders.“Go!” Billy yelled, and then they were racing toward the town square, laughing and screaming.The ride was smoother than she thought it would be, and she found herself cheering for Sam to hurry.He held out a hand and hit the tree—the finish line apparently—seconds before Billy.The guys exchanged verbal jabs, with Billy accusing Sam of cheating.Sam said something about him always being a sore loser, but it was done in a teasing tone.Rosaline stood back and observed, basking in how nice it was to be out, piggyback racing and all
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]