“Is it from yourboooooyfriend?”
The class becomes a barrage of questions and giggles until I finally turn back around to get them all to sit back down and be quiet. I can’t blame them. I’m ecstatic too, even though we can’t keep it. It’s going to hurt to explain why, though. It’s also going to hurt to tell Chase he has to send the screen back. Assuming he’s the one who sent the box.
“It’s a gracious gift from a…a kind person.” Snickers fill the classroom as someone makes kissing noises. These kids are great, but they’re also assholes sometimes. “However! It’s not fair for this room to have one when no one else does. So we will either be returning the screen or maybe sharing it with other classrooms and students.”
I peek down at the card again as they grumble about the rules. I add his number to my contacts while I shake my head—I can’t believe I’m doing this. If this ends up being a prank, my sister will not live to see her next birthday. I grab a marker and scribble over his initials and the number in case someone else finds the card.
I open up a new text thread and stare at the screen. This is a horrible idea. He’s an actor, and I’m a teacher. He travels the world. It’s rare that I leave Los Angeles. He’s rich and famous, and I’m barely scraping by. But what if it ends up being nothing but a kind gesture by an out of touch movie star and I’m overreacting? Don’t I deserve dinner with a hot man once in my life?
What the hell? Dani is going to think she’s an actual matchmaker now, which means I’ll never hear the end of it. But it’s better than regretting a free dinner.
I stare down at the card again.
No, this is all too much and I need to tell him to return the damn board and pass on dinner. I don’t have the time or the energy to deal with a high-profile relationship, friendship, or whatever else he wants out of this.
Still not sure what to do, I shove the phone in my pocket. I can figure that out later when my mind stops buzzing.
CHAPTER5
TIME BOMB
RANCID
I don’t needan alarm when Friday comes, since I’m up and out of bed like it’s Christmas morning and I’m ten. I picked out the suit yesterday, so this morning I steamed my shirt, picked out a couple ties, and realized I should find out what color dress she’s wearing to match it. I’m in the middle of trying the fourth hairstyle when Steve’s muscle car rumbles into the driveway.
I forgot all about our workout session this morning.
I stare at the suit and sigh. Renate hasn’t said yes to the date. But she hasn’t said no, either. In fact, she hasn’t even called me yet. If she doesn’t call, or if she says no, I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do. Sulk, probably.
“Hey bro, ready to do this?” I ask, jogging down the stairs, meeting Steve in the foyer. Jogging past him, I hold open the door that leads to the garage gym, but he stands there, unmoving. Even the dogs are looking at me with their heads cocked to the side. “What?”
“You’re…up?” Steve’s been one of my best friends since high school, and my personal trainer for years. He was also my clubbing slashmeet the hot ladiesbuddy before he did the unthinkable and settled down with a pro hockey player. Love has picked off two from our circle of friends, leaving only Dani and me as the holdouts. Dani sort of has Xander, even though it’s complicated and confusing.
Fuck, that means I’m the lone loser. Phenomenal.
“Yeah.” I give him a shrug and nod to the door again, ready to go.
“But…you’re not in bed.”
“Yeah, I noticed. Come on, let’s go. Do you wanna run today? No, it’s probably too hot for that. Is it too hot for that?”
“Did you… do your hair?”
“Maybe?”
“Dude, I’m engaged. Why did you wait so long to?—”
“What?”
“You’re way too happy for this to be one of your episodes, so?”
“I’m not hitting on you, dude! Come on, let’s go!”
“Are you on speed? Too much coffee? Whothe fuckare you and what have you done with my hot Hollywood bestie?” He still hasn’t left the front door.
“I’m not that bad! I mean, you don’talwayshave to wake me up.”
He does.
