Her knee brushes against mine and a tingling sensation runs rapidly to my stomach. She’s so close to me, I can smell the light scent of coconut and vanilla. The enthusiasm she displays during this impromptu game of Pictionary that Sadie’s grandma, Ida, suggested makes her that much more appealing to me.

“It’s your turn,” she whispers in my ear, pulling me away from my daydream. I hope she didn’t notice me staring at her neck like a vulture ready to devour its prey.

“Oh, okay,” I respond quickly, standing up to grab a small piece of paper. After reading the movie title, I know automatically that either Brady or Sadie wrote this one down. With their shared eighties addiction, they must have thrown it in the bowl. I grab the marker and kneel down at the table. My team consists of Jessa, her sister Samantha, and her parents. A wave of nausea hits me when I see them all hovered over the table, waiting for Brady to turn the timer over.

Brady yells ‘go’ and I feverishly try to draw a jet fighter and dog tags, but my jet resembles more of a commercial airplane and Samantha keeps shouting the movie “Airplane” over and over. Jessa’s mom thinks the dog tags are a necklace, so she keeps saying “Pretty Woman”. How she came up with that I have no idea. Jessa remains quiet, waiting for me to finish, but then she laughs the most adorable giggle and throws her hands up in the air, letting me know she has no idea. Finally, as Ida starts saying the countdown aloud from ten, Jessa’s dad guesses correctly, shouting “Top Gun”. I point to him to signal he said the answer, and he gives me a high five. This feeling of togetherness overwhelms me, but I’m enjoying it.

“You should have drawn a volleyball game with four hot guys playing,” Jessa says, after I take my seat next to her.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, turning my body directly toward her.

“He’s a guy, Jess, he probably never gave it two thoughts,” Sadie explains from her position on the opposite couch, where she’s wrapped in Brady’s arms.

“What?” I ask again, amusingly confused.

“The hottest scene in the whole movie. When the four guys are playing volleyball with their shirts off … all tanned and shiny from sweat,” Jessa finally reveals. The swoony look on her face brings a rush of jealousy over me.

“I guess I missed the importance of that scene,” I joke.

“I always liked the scene where he has sex with that female instructor,” Brady chuckles and everyone joins in.

Once the game ends, I politely stand up to say my goodbyes. After hugging all the women and shaking all the men’s hands, Jessa says she’ll walk me out.

“What are you doing for the rest of break?” she asks as we continue to take steps to the front door. I can’t help but feel that my time here has gone by too fast tonight.

“I have to work but other than that, not much of anything,” I answer.

“Well, call or text me and we can get together,” she says casually when we reach the door.

I grab my jacket and turn back toward her. “You do the same, I’ll be around,” I inform her.

“What are you doing for New Year’s?” The hesitation in her voice makes me hopeful.

“I usually meet one of my buddies in their hometown, but this year I don’t have any plans,” I embarrassingly admit.

“Well, you do now. I have a friend who’s throwing a party. Why don’t you come? Brady and Sadie will be there too,” she says. The way her fingers fiddle with her multiple ear piercings is adorable. I wonder if it’s a nervous habit. The thought that she’s uneasy asking me, makes my lips turn up widely in response.

“Alright, do you want me to pick you up?” I pray the desperation in my voice goes unnoticed.

“No, that’s okay. Rob will be home, so you can meet us there. I’ll text you the address.” Just like that, the excitement of a date with Jessa vanishes.

“Sounds good.” I open the door, displaying what I imagine is my fakest smile. “See you, Jessa,” I say, waving my hand.

“Hold up, Grant,” she calls out. When I turn around, she wraps her arms around my neck and pushes herself against me.

I quickly back away, after the briefest and most awkward hug ever. Regret consumes me automatically when I see her questioning face, but the last thing I need is her feeling how excited she can make me just from a simple hug.

“Merry Christmas, Grant,” she softly says, nervously biting her lip. This girl has so many different personalities, I’m beginning to wonder who the real Jessa Harrison is.

“Merry Christmas, Jessa.” I turn around, walking down the steps. I desperately want to turn around to see if she’s watching me go, but I can’t bear the thought that she isn’t. The chance that she might have shut the door right away kills me. Turning the corner after walking through the small wrought-iron fence, my willpower weakens and I glance up to the door. To my surprise, she’s still standing there. I give her a quick wave, and she smiles at me before waving back. When I turn around, I can’t stop the huge grin that absorbs my face. Yeah, I’m not the only one feeling something here.