We haven’t had a free moment to talk about what happened at school a few days ago—or more like whatalmosthappened. The unknown has been floating around in the air between us, and it’s been driving me crazy not knowing what could’ve happened if the teacher hadn’t interrupted us.
I was going to kiss her. And I was going to tell her how I truly feel.
“Honey, would you care to grab me some more water? This popcorn is making me so thirsty.”
“Of course. Ry, do you need anything?”
Just you, alone, so I can finally see what your lips feel like against mine.
“No thanks,” I say instead, watching each step that she takes toward the kitchen, admiring the way her hips sway as she moves. She’s wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and a cream-colored sweater. She looks happier today, and I hope that it’s because of me. I guess I can give Nan a little credit.
I look over at Nan, who is staring at me with a wicked grin on her face. “What?”
“I think you know.”
“Know what?” I play dumb and study the popcorn in my bowl before placing a piece into my mouth. I try to focus on the buttery flavor instead of the ever-growing grin on my grandmother’s face.
“What’s going on between you and Raine?” She nudges me with her bony elbow, right in the ribs. I frown, and my brows pull together. “Oh, don’t give me that look. I’ve seen how you’ve been staring at her.”
“I have not been staring?—”
“Yes, you have. Listen, I know a thing or two about love. I’ve been married to your Pops for almost fifty years. I know the signs.” She waves her hands in front of my facewith a soft chuckle. She’s enjoying this a little too much. “And I know she feels the same way about you.”
I perk up at her words, and suddenly, I’m done with playing dumb. “Really?”
“See, I knew it.” She smirks, and a grin spreads across my face. And dare I say that I feel heat grow in my cheeks. Am I blushing? With my grandmother? “Just tell her how you feel already.”
“I’m scared,” I admit, feeling my shoulders slump with the weight of the truth.
“Of what? That girl is just as crazy about you as you are with her. There’s nothing to fear.”
How can she be so sure? I want to ask her, but Raine waltzes back into the room, and immediately, it’s a little stuffy in here.
“Thank you, dear. I might try to rest for a bit. Why don’t you and Ryland go play in the snow and give me some quiet time.”
“Yeah, sure,” Raine says, bending down to give Nan a quick hug before grabbing her thick coat. “We won’t be far, in case you need anything.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me.” She swats the air and gives me a wink when Raine isn’t looking.
“You’re trouble,” I whisper to Nan before giving her a peck on the cheek. “I’ll be back to check on you.”
“Go get your girl.”
Once we’re bundled up and walking down the stone path that leads to the lake, all courage leaves me. We fall silent, our shoulders brushing as we walk, and I press my lips together to keep my thoughts from tumbling out. There’s a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, like after a dip on a rollercoaster.
A light breeze is blowing, making the air feel much colder, and it brings the scent of snow with it. The sound of large snowflakes hitting the ground and the crunchingfrom our feet echo around us. After a few moments, Raine’s voice fills the air between us.
“Wanna hear the weird dream I had last night?” she asks. It’s become something normal between us, deciphering each other's dreams. I hum in approval, thankful for the distraction.
She giggles, and the sound is contagious. “Okay, don’t judge me for this one. So, it starts out with you and me eating ice cream. We seem to be having a fun time. But then I smack my lips together and notice I have a clump of hair in my mouth. I look down at my ice cream cone and notice it’s not ice cream—it’s a kitten. I was licking a kitten, Ryland.”
I grin and turn to look at her. I take in the way her eyes sparkle, how she wrinkles her nose and is animated with her hands as she continues.
“And the weirdest part is that I continue to lick this poor little kitten. I look over, and you’re doing the same. So, there we are, licking our kitten cones—” She snorts as a laugh escapes her lips.
I laugh with her because how can I not? Her eyes widen as she peers over at me, and I find myself tracing the lines of her lips with my eyes as she continues to laugh. How easy would it be to reach over and brush mine against hers?
“And then someone walks in and grabs a puppy-cone, but when the puppy sees the kittens, it starts chasing our kitten-cones all around the ice cream shop. And we just sit there, smiling at one another, like everything that is happening is completely normal. Please, Ry, try to decipher that crazy dream.”
