“Well, you’re an annoying breather. ”
“You’re an annoying eye-roller,” he fired back.
“What?” I stopped walking and turned toward his smug face, causing the pack of girls following us to stop as well.
“You shouldn’t roll your eyes like that. Didn’t your parents ever tell you it wasn’t good for you?” He shoved a hand into his front pocket as girls walked by, begging for his attention. I had his complete interest, whether I wanted it or not.
“My parents said a lot of things,” I responded defensively.
“Oh, I get it now. ” His voice was as sweet as Southern iced tea. “Daddy issues. ”
“How does any girl stand you?” He made me so mad I wanted to smack his smarmy face, but I just stood there frozen as the wind breezed through my hair.
“It’s the dimples. ” Jack actually delivered the line seriously, pointing at the indent on his cheek before breaking into a big smile.
I couldn’t take the banter any more. “At least you’re humble,” I said, before willing my legs to move.
“Just let me take you out. One date,” he shouted at my retreating frame. “And if you hate it and we have a horrible time, you never have to go out with me again. ”
I stopped walking and turned to face him. “So that’s it? Just one date and you’ll go away forever?” I laughed, actually considering the idea.
We were making a scene again as girls whispered and guys waited to observe if Jack Carter would actually get shot down.
“Just one date. ” He held up one finger in front of my face before involving the crowd. “Help me out here, guys. ” He turned to face the gawkers. “Tell her to go out with me one time. What can it hurt?”
The crowd roared with encouragement, and I heard shouts like, “Awwww, go out with him!” and “It’s just one date! Do it!”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Fine. Just one. ” Loud cheers erupted at my response. You’d think I’d just accepted a marriage proposal the way those idiots were carrying on.
What had I just gotten myself into?
FIVE
“I cannot believe I agreed to this,” I said, burying my face in my hands.
Melissa plopped down next to me on the floor of my bedroom. “This is a bad idea. You should probably call him and cancel. ”
I lifted my head and let out a deep sigh. “He’d never leave me alone then!”
She nodded. “You’re right. Oh my God, you have to go. ”
I pulled myself up and studied my face in my bedroom mirror. “Maybe it won’t be so bad?” I wondered as I brushed powder across my face.
“Or maybe it will?” Melissa bit her bottom lip, her face contorted in thought.
“What are you thinking?”
Melissa grinned mischievously. “If the date is horrible then he’ll go away, right?”
“That’s what he said,” I responded reluctantly.
“Well, then all you have to do is be a crappy date! You know, like what’s-her-face in How to Lose A Guy in Ten Days!”
I leaned away from her, pondering her suggestion while I dropped the brush and picked up my mascara.
“Oh my God! You little slut! You want to have a good date with him. You love him and want to have ten thousand of his little baseball babies! Cassie!!!”
“Where do you come up with this stuff?” I asked through my laughter.