Kandice Naylor adjusted her glasses and read the seating chart on the board. Third row over, fourth seat back. In the middle, again. She took her seat, opening her notebook. So far her first day in tenth grade held no surprises.

Then Kyle turned around. “Looks like I win this time, Naylor.”

She’d only seen those chocolate eyes twice over the summer, but they were still delicious. Butterflies flew in her stomach, knotting her insides with giddiness. Fourth period before lunch just got interesting. “How do you figure that? Because you sat down before me?” She raised an eyebrow, only pretending to be annoyed by the banter. She secretly lived for the competition Kyle had created between them over the last two years.

“Alphabetical seating by last name. Montgomery comes before Naylor.” Kyle tapped the corner of her notebook.

She leaned out of her seat dramatically, looking around Kyle before responding, “Except, genius, you’re in the third seat in this row. So. That’s like a bronze medal. Two other people beat you.”

The girl to Kyle’s right tried to interrupt them, but Kyle didn’t seem to notice, he kept his gaze on her. “I’m not playing the game with them. The game is with you. And I won.”

Kandice rolled her eyes in his direction playfully. “Like winning an alphabetical contest shows any skill.”

He took his pen, drawing something small on her notebook. “Drawing a smile upside-down takes some skill,” he said. The bell rang, and Kyle faced forward.

She looked down at the small smiley face on her notebook and couldn’t help smiling herself. Kyle Montgomery was the most impossible guy in the entire tenth grade. And she was completely smitten by him. From his dark eyes and dark hair to the way he rubbed his chin when he was thinking, she was still crushing on him hard. Crushing on him for two years. Which meant she pretended like crazy that she didn’t care about him in the least.

The emotional strain was unbearable most days. The more she stayed aloof from him, the more he talked to her. And the more he talked to her, the more she wanted to be affected by his attentions. But, that’s what every other girl did, and he didn’t seem to notice them. So being friends and having ridiculous contests was as good as it was going to get.

The teacher stood up from her desk and paced the front of the room.

Kandice leaned forward and whispered to Kyle, “I get the last word in before the teacher talks. I win.”

Immediately their geography teacher started her monologue. Kyle groaned, turned toward her, and said, “Well played, Naylor.”

At the end of class, Kandice packed up her books, surprised to see Kyle still sitting in his seat. He smiled. “Want to sit with me at lunch?”

Kandice’s pulse raced. Was Kyle really asking her to sit with him? Not likely. “Don’t you have a football team to sit with?”

“C’mon. Sit by me. Don’t tell me the only time I get to sit by you is when we are assigned to sit by each other?” He opened the door for her and walked with her out of class.

Her heart leapt into her throat. Maybe he wasn’t just trying to win another made up contest, but she’d play unaffected just to be sure. She stamped down her excitement, forcing her voice to sound nonchalant. “I’m choosing my own table. You can sit wherever you want.”

“Fine. I’ll follow you through the lunch line and sit next to you then.”

The lunchroom was around the corner from their geography class, and Kyle stayed next to her through the line, like if he didn’t watch her closely she might bolt. “How was your summer?”

“Summer was good. What about yours?”

“Lots of football practice with my brothers. Dad ran drills every morning, whether we practiced as a team or not.”

She could imagine he spent most of his days focused on football—since his dad retired from the NFL he had been the high school’s head football coach.

During the summer, she’d practiced with the track team, and seen him from a distance, but didn’t brave getting close enough to have an actual conversation.

They made it through the food line, and Kandice chose the table. Kyle sat next to her, moving his chair closer to hers. Several more people joined their table. Kandice’s best friend, Jane, scooted her way into the crowd, and sat next to her.

“Wow. This table is crowded,” Jane whispered. “Should we find another place to sit?”

Kandice smiled. “I don’t think it will help. Kyle’s determined to sit next to me, and the rest came because of him. We move, and the whole party moves with us!”

Jane raised her eyebrows. “I suppose tomorrow we’ll have to choose a bigger table then.”

Kandice couldn’t remember a lunch where she had so much fun. She didn’t mind being surrounded by the crowd, especially when she mostly talked with Jane and Kyle. He told jokes and stories, and was the life of the party. But in between the stories, he’d talk just with her.

After lunch, Kyle was next to her again. “I have English next with Arnold.”

“Same,” Kandice said. She waved goodbye to Jane and left the lunchroom.

“Can I walk with you to class? We’re going the same way.”

Tingles ran through her. What was with Kyle? It was only the first day of school. No way was she falling for his overdone attention. “I’m stopping by my locker first.”

“What a coincidence. I am stopping by your locker first too.” He grinned at her, and more tingles spread to her toes.

She shrugged her shoulder. Play it cool. Her stomach whooshed. “Fine. Be annoying like that.”

He nonchalantly leaned an elbow against the lockers next to hers, as she fiddled with her combination. “I’m guessing Arnold puts us in alphabetical order by last names. If he does, I win.”

Her heart thudded. If he really liked her, he’d ask her out, wouldn’t he? Not play these competition games. The extra attention didn’t mean anything, but she’d accept this game anyway. “So, the loser buys the winner a soda after class?”

“Soda after class or a milkshake at Sally’s after school,” he said.

Milkshakes sounded like a date. It was higher stakes than their soda or candy bar from the vending machine. She said the only rational thing on her mind. “I have track after school and you have football.”

“How about after practice?” he whispered with a straight face when they approached the classroom.

She’d be winning a milkshake today. “Okay.”

The bell rang as they walked into class. The only two empty seats in the room were in the very middle, but the seating chart was already removed from the board.

“I’ll take the front seat,” Kandice said.

“But we don’t know what the order is.”

“Trust me.” She smiled at him and sat down. The teacher’s back was to the class. With any luck they could avoid being marked tardy.

The seating chart was displayed as roll was taken, and Kyle whispered, “You cheated, Naylor.”

Kandice turned around slowly, her face a picture of innocence. “How could I cheat when you were the one who called the contest?” How did she know they’d be seated in alphabetical order by first name? Because Arnold was predictable. That’s how. And Jane had her English class in the morning, so Kandice had the inside scoop.

“I’m not sure, but I don’t lose.” He didn’t look too bugged about it, but maybe he only wanted to go to Sally’s because he had been sure of his victory.

“Sure you don’t. But you still owe me a milkshake.”

He smiled wide. “Fine. After practice.”

* * *

Perhaps it was the milkshake from the night before, but Kandice felt a little smug walking into school the next day. She rarely bested Kyle, and the feeling of beating him again surged through her. She couldn’t think of anything to beat him at in geography or at lunch.

Their lunch table was full again, and another group grabbed an adjoining table. Kyle talked with several people at the table, laughing and making jokes, but Kandice could hardly get a bite of food in before he’d pull her into his conversation.

When lunch ended he nodded to her. “Let’s go, Naylor.”

He’d called her Naylor for the last two years—like he would to a buddy or teammate. “Fine. Montgomery.”

“I go by Slam on the field.”

“And I go by Kandice to everyone else.”

Kyle walked her to her locker and she pulled out a fantasy novel.

“What are you reading?” He took the book from her hands as they walked down the hallway to class.

“Unicorns and Dragons.”

“That’s a girl book.”

“Good job, genius. I’m a girl.” Her heart sank at the confirmation of their friendship. To him she was a buddy. A friend. Not a girl he’d consider dating.

He swung his backpack around and unzipped it, revealing a thick book. “I’m reading Into the Past. It’s better than fantasy. It’s epic fantasy.”

She snorted. “Sure it is. You just can’t handle a girl book. Not brave enough?”

“What? I am so brave.”

“Then prove it.” She handed him her book as they sat down in class. She ignored the tingling sensation between them as her fingers brushed across his. “Let’s see who is braver. First person to give up on the others book is the loser.”

He huffed. “I’m never a loser. You’re on, Naylor.”

The next day, Kandice waited on the bleachers for her brother, Todd, to give her a ride home. Her brother was a senior. Watching Todd’s practice was never boring, especially since Kyle played up, and was on the varsity team too. Kandice watched Kyle for a while and then started reading his epic fantasy she’d taken.

“Your stupid book.” Kyle grumbled as he joined her on the bleachers.

“Admitting defeat, then?” Kandice’s Cheshire grin spread across her face.

He pulled out her book, pointing an accusing finger at it. “This is book three in the series.”

“Yeah. So?”

“I can’t read it out of order,” he said with an exasperating sigh. “I’m missing a lot of stuff. I’m not going to get it unless I read books one and two first.”

“You are liking what you read enough to read the whole series?”

“There’s like six books. If I keep reading where I’m at I’ll only get more confused. I need your first two books.”

“The library has copies,” she said, unsure why she even suggested it. She’d lend him her books.

He ran a hand through his wavy hair. “I can’t check out a girl’s book from the library. I want to borrow your books.”

He wanted her books. The thought warmed her. “I’ll bring you one and two tomorrow.”

“Really?” His eyes looked too grateful to pass on.

“Sure. If you admit that you like reading a girl’s book.”

“I won’t know until I read the first two.”

She shrugged, wondering if he had any clue how his brown eyes affected her. “Admit it anyway.”

A small smile crept across his lips, and he bumped her shoulder playfully with his own. “Fine. Your girl book isn’t totally terrible.”

“And?”

“And I like it.”

* * *

The basketball left Kandice’s fingers, arcing perfectly, and swished through the net. She ran up from the three-point line to get the ball and passed it to Kyle. “Miss this shot, and I win again.”

Kyle concentrated hard and released the ball. It bounced off the backboard with too much force and Kandice caught it on the rebound.

She spun it around in her hand, then did a victory dance. Though she’d chosen the track team over the basketball team, she still had her skills. And showing off in front of Kyle was rewarding. “I’m still undefeated,” she gloated, tucking the ball under her arm. The last three weeks they’d played basketball during every lunch except one rainy day.

He gave her a high five. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m just letting you win, Naylor.” He took the ball from her and dribbled it before trying the shot again. It bounced off the backboard again.

“Well, then I guess the ball is in your court on when to change the game. Winner chooses the game, and I’m choosing Horse until I lose.” She lived for the middle of the day when they had two classes together, with lunch in between.

“Cause you’re not brave enough to play something that might challenge you.”

“Like what? Tree climbing?”

“Tree climbing is too easy. Running?”

“I’m on the track team, genius. I’m not going to lose to you.” She pushed his shoulder playfully. She had to focus on beating him otherwise she’d be smitten. And then she’d be a mess. He had no idea how hard it was to keep her nerves under control around him.

“Reading contest,” he suggested.

“You’re the speed reader. I like to take my time in a book. And, by the way, I want book six back.”

“You’re still on Into the Past. I’ll be done with your whole series before you’ve even finished my one book.”

She’d meant to bring his book back, but it always felt like something she could bring to him when she just wanted to stop by. Besides, he was still reading her book. “Oh. I finished it a long time ago. I’m just holding it for ransom.” She gave him a sassy smile and in one quick move stole the ball from him, and made an easy layup.

“Is that so? Bad form, Naylor.” He picked her up at the waist and set her on the brick fence.

“Help me down. You’re annoying.” Annoying and perfect.

“Only if you come with me to the winter formal.”

She sucked in a breath. He was asking her out. Like out, out. Not just an excuse to get a milkshake and talk about books. But on an actual, official date. She needed to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. Of course, in her dreams he was much more suave when he asked her out. “This is how you ask someone to a dance? Smooth, Montgomery.”

He helped her down. “Kandice? Will you be my date to the winter formal dance?”

His intense chocolate eyes watched her, waiting for her to answer. She could melt in them—especially if she had a whole night to stare into them while they danced. He called her by her first name not her last.

Happiness bubbled through her and heat raced to her cheeks. She could pretend it came from the basketball game, and the chilly wind biting at them. “Okay. I’ll go with you.”

* * *

Kyle held her close during the final slow song at winter formal. She breathed in the cologne he wore, her hands wrapped around his neck. She was taller than most of her friends, but even in heels she wasn’t tall enough to look over Kyle’s shoulders as they danced. Kyle was the perfect date. He even wore a tux. An actual tux. Though some of the other couples stayed mainly around the refreshment table, Kyle danced the entire night with her. It was a dream. The song ended and he held her for an extra heartbeat, giving her a hug.

“You still want to go to my house?” he asked.

“Of course, you’ve got two dozen of your best friends and their dates coming over,” she said.

“Well, I’d ditch them all if you wanted me to.”

“I’m game for the after party.”

The party didn’t disappoint. Kandice wasn’t sure that anything could top the dance they’d gone to together, but Kyle’s house was a very close second.

They weaved through the crowd in the basement until Kyle stopped in front of the foosball table. “Can you handle a game or two?” he asked.

“I’d hate to make you cry in front of all these people, but if you insist. You’re on.”

She played hard, winning two out of four games. It was the last ball of the last game, winner takes all. She twirled the ball in her hand before putting it into play, hitting it hard toward the goal.

Kyle blocked it, spinning it back in her direction. She blew a strand of her hair out of her face that had come loose during their game. Kyle had taken off his tux jacket during the second game. She stopped the ball barely, but didn’t put enough speed behind hitting it back to him. In one swift motion, Kyle hit the ball back to her, driving it expertly into the goal, scoring the winning point.

“Good game, Slam,” she said to Kyle.

“It was close. Good effort.”

They grabbed drinks and snacks and mingled with several people.

When the party was over, Kyle drove her home, holding her hand the entire time. She grinned from ear to ear, and rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. He walked her to her door. “Thanks for being my date tonight. I had a lot of fun with you,” he said.

“Thanks for asking me. I had fun too.” Seriously, when had she ever had this much fun? Anticipation ran through her as they stood on her doorstep. Being kissed now would be the icing on the cake. Would he kiss her? Should she lean in or wait for him?

“Would you, um, want to hang out again sometime? Like this I mean?”

“Dressed up on my porch, in the middle of winter?” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms as the cold seeped in.

Kyle laughed. “Well, we can hang out inside instead.”

Heat spread through her cheeks. Is this for real? I can’t believe this is happening after two long years. He likes me. “I’d like that.”

He gave her a big hug. “Me too.”

She pulled back slightly from his embrace, and his lips brushed lightly across her cheek. She turned her lips toward him, inhaling his cologne as their lips met. Her mind blanked as she kissed him back. She’d imagined kissing him a hundred times, and it was better than she imagined it.

After their kiss, he hugged her one more time. The coolness of his tuxedo jacket rubbed softly on her warm cheek. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Monday,” she said before going inside and closing the door. She did a happy dance, and spun in a circle before locking the front door. Kyle Montgomery had kissed her, and she was floating. Seeing him again couldn’t come soon enough.

* * *

On Monday morning, Kandice ran with the track team on the indoor track while her thoughts ran around Kyle. She and Jane had spent all of yesterday talking about winter formal, and if she and Kyle were officially together. After running she lifted weights before homeroom.

Kyle and two other football players entered, cutting through from the locker room to the hallway, but they didn’t notice her in the corner. Her heart did jumping jacks at the memory of their kiss on Saturday. She was about to say hi to him when one of the guys spoke.

“What’s up with you, Kyle? Are you together with Kandice?”

Kandice held the weights still as she waited for his answer, excitement flowing through her.

“What? No. We’re just friends.” Kyle laughed nervously.

“But you kissed her. I don’t make out with my friends,” another football player said, making smooching sounds.

Kyle punched his friend in the arm.

“Kyle does have a girlfriend,” the other guy said.

“It’s not like that. She’s a nerdy girl. We’re just friends,” Kyle said, his voice emphatic.

“So, why did you take her to winter formal then? To get on Todd’s good side?”

Kyle didn’t respond, and Kandice’s heart lurched. Had Kyle only hung out with her and taken her to the dance because her brother was the captain of the varsity football team?

“Kyle likes the nerdy girl,” his friends continued to taunt as they left the weight room.

Kandice’s heart sank even as her blood boiled. He’d been nice to her because he wanted to play up to Varsity. He didn’t like her. Nerdy girl. She’d show him a nerdy girl. She dropped the weights.

Adrenaline coursed through her. She ran into the hall after them but they weren’t there. She headed back to the locker room to change and ran into a brick wall. A brick wall named Kyle.

His face flushed. “Hi. I was hoping to run into you this morning.”

The other two guys laughed, but she didn’t appreciate his play on words. He was a jerk, but she’d deal with him her own way.

Her smile stretched wide. She’d show him. If Kyle wanted to get on Todd’s good side, he’d have to do it without her. She was done with Kyle Montgomery and his stupid games and stupid milkshakes. Her right hand tingled as she made a tight fist. She stepped back, then leaned forward, her hand moving in an upward motion, connecting with the right side of his face. “Try kissing me or talking to me again, Kyle Montgomery, and next time I’ll aim for your perfect nose.”

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