I nodded. “Feels good to have some options.”
“Know what you’re going to do yet?”
“I checked in with UW-Madison and the other schools I got accepted to, to see if I can get invited to try out for their track team.”
She nodded. “I heard.”
“Does that mean you’ve been talking about me?” Hope perked up in my chest, sending a wave of warmth through me.
“Maybe.” She shrugged and offered up a shy smile.
We jogged in silence for a bit, but it wasn’t as strange a feeling as it had been lately. Another good sign. Should I press my luck with anything more or enjoy the silence?
“Hey, Grace, this is a tough question, and if you don’t want to answer, I totally get it. But are you doing okay?” I asked, my mouth going out on a limb for me, evidently.
“Working toward it.” She coughed into her hand. “Met with a counselor. You know. To talk about stuff. Like Emmett and the Air Force.”
“That’s awesome, Grace. I bet it was hard to put it all out there.” I glanced at her. It really was, too. It took a strong person to ask for help.
“Yeah, it was, still is, but I really do think it’s helping. And she told me about this online group. For people who’ve lost someone in the military.” She shook her head. “Anyway. Um…I better catch up with the girls. I—thanks—just wanted to say thank you, for the flowers.”
She peeled off and joined a huddle with Harper, Becca, and Aanya in the grass, near the long-jump pit.
“Come on, Preach!” Sam yelled from behind. “One lap. Race ya!”
“This is just a warm-up!” I chased after her as Oliver came up alongside her.
“Fine, fine,” Sam responded.
“Come on, Miss Hurdler, pick up the pace!” Oliver tapped her shoulder as he passed her on the right.
Sam attempted to swat Oliver, but he jumped out of reach.
“Hey, Preach,” Sam said as I came up beside her while Oliver stayed on her other side. “Saw you running with my girl.”
“Yep.” I didn’t even try to hide my smile.
“So, you gonna ask Grace to prom?”
I perked up at the mention of that. Before talking to her a few minutes ago, I wasn’t even sure if she’d ever talk to me again, let alone go to prom with me. “That’s moving things kinda fast, isn’t it? I was just glad she liked my flowers.”
“Boys are so ridiculous.” She shook her head
“Hey!” both Oliver and I shouted at the same time.
“Do you want her back?” Sam asked.
“Yeah, more than anything.”
Sam elbowed me in the ribs. “Well, then get your crap together and make your move!”
My mind spun. Brodie had mentioned a grand gesture, like you see in the movies or read in books. Maybe I could pull one off after all?
“So, what are you going to do?” Sam asked.
“Prom is next week. Is that enough time?” I asked. “I mean, if she even said yes. Would she be able to get a dress so late in the game?”
“Oh, please. She could show up in a track uniform and be prettier than everyone there.” She grinned.