“Or maybe never, because you’re on a list.”
I don’t have a comeback to that one. “So after hearing this about me, are you sure you still want to go out on that date?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
I smile up at him, admiring his wavy hair and warm smile. A rush of something courses through me. All at once I’m excited and confused and deeply, deeply impressed. Before getting up, I wipe away the crossed-out heart in the sand and quickly replace it with a new one, bigger than the original and without a hole in the middle. “I don’t know,” I whisper, “But I’m glad.”
Glad? Did I just say I’m “glad”? Oh my gosh, “glad” doesn’t begin to describe how I feel right now. I’m so happy I could kiss him—in fact I would, but I’m afraid my parents might be watching. Instead, with a giant smile on my face, I take him by the hand—sweaty palm and all—and we head back to the house, where Tanner confirms to my parents that I’ve told him the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help him God.
Before Tanner leaves, my dad pulls him aside for a final “man to man” chat. It’s supposed to be private, but I can hear every word from the other side of the room.
“I just want to make sure we’re clear,” Dad says. “I’m not too keen on Ann having you around, but seeing her happy like this is…a nice change.”
“OK. That’s good.”
“Yes…for now.”
“For now?”
Dad nods. “What I’m trying to say is, don’t blow it. Don’t hurt her. If you’re thinking you can just have a little fun for a while, then break her heart later, just get out now.”
“Dad!” I yell across the room.
He holds up a hand. “Just a sec. I’m almost done.”
“Don’t worry,” says Tanner. “That’s not going to happen.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
“All right, then, I’m holding you to it. I am a lawyer, remember, and what you and I just entered into is a verbal agreement. Don’t let me down.”
That’s all I can stand. I quickly cross the room and pull Tanner to safety. “That’s enough legal-talk, Dad. You’re on vacation, remember?” I turn to Tanner. “Sorry about…that.” I motion with my head to my dad, who once again has that stupid scowl on his face. I think he’s trying to look mean, but it’s not working. “Anyway, thanks for tonight. I know you have to get going, but I’m really looking forward to Wednesday.”
“Me too,” he says. “See you then.”
It’s a little stalker-ish, I know, but I watch him through the front window until he is completely out of sight. Then I rush upstairs to write every little detail in my journal. Most of the days from the past couple of years I’d just as soon forget, but this one I want to remember forever!
Dear Diary,
Do you know that feeling you get when you’re falling, and your stomach launches into your throat, and you panic and feel like you might die? I’ve always hated that feeling. And yet right now I’m falling—fast—but I don’t really mind. I don’t know when I’ll hit the ground, but for right now I’m just enjoying the fall. There have been plenty of times when I doubted I would ever say this, but now I want to shout it from the rooftops: I THINK I’M FALLING IN LOVE!
Chapter 29
Cade
PSST. ANN. Mom wants us downstairs.”
My sister is lying on her bed, writing in her journal. She looks up and smiles with that same dumb smile she had on the day she first met Tanner. “I’m busy.”
“No, she says come now. Dad just jumped in the shower.”
“At eight o’clock at night?”
“Yep. He said he needed to wind down after dealing with your boyfriend.”
Normally she would yell at me for saying “boyfriend,” but instead she repeats the word, like she’s trying it on for size. “‘Boyfriend.’ He’s not, but I like the sound of it.”
“Just come downstairs. Mom’s waiting.”
“Fine.”
She follows me to the living room, where Bree and Mom are waiting.
“Got your notebook?” asks Mom.
“Do I need it?” asks Ann.
“I want to tally scores while your father is in the shower.”
Ann rolls her eyes, marches back upstairs, and is back down pretty quick. “Do we even need to count?” she asks when she reaches the bottom step. She’s flipping her notebook open to her current sheet. “I think we all know who won again.”