Did I hear that correctly or am I going crazy? We are standing in a busy hallway so his words could have gotten muddled by all the surrounding noise before they got to me. It sure sounded like he wanted to hang out. Today.

“Um, I have work,” I say.

He shrugs. “I have soccer practice until five thirty. When are you off work?”

Is this really happening? “Six thirty.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

Wow. I think it is happening.

I nod dumbly. “Okay, well, do you know where I live?”

“Unfortunately, I’m not a stalker, so no.” He grins and hands me his phone. “What’s your number?”

I type in my number and call it so that I’ll get his number, too. My fingers are shaky as I hand his phone back. This is unexpected, but when it comes to finding out who ruined my greenhouse, it’s actually a great thing. It helps that Gavin is crazy hot, and also taller than me. Even if I wasn’t on a mission to solve the mystery of my greenhouse, how could I say no to spending the evening with him?

He flashes me a smile that makes my knees go weak as he puts his phone back in his pocket. I’m trying to play it cool but I no doubt look like a grinning fool right about now. Who cares. Gavin Voss just asked me out.

Or did he?

Is it a date or just a friend thing? I’m not about to sound like an idiot and ask. I’ll just play it by ear, and maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll lead me right to the person on his soccer team who needs to pay up for my greenhouse.

I realize he’s still walking with me as we round the corner into the math hallway. I hate how much I enjoy having someone to walk next to me. “Don’t you need to get to class?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I like taking the long way.”

When I get to my next class, he bumps into me with his shoulder. “Have a good day.”

“Thanks,” I say, looking up at him and wondering how I got so lucky. “You too.”

When Shawn asked me out it was because we had mutual friends who kept saying we’d make a good couple. Once I got that thought in my head, I’d gone heavy on the flirting in the hopes that he would feel the same way. Eventually, it worked. I was happy being with him, but it’s always more romantic if a guy likes you first. For the first time in my life, it’s starting to feel like that’s what’s happening.

I’ve had guys approach me over the years, mostly back in junior high when I wasn’t so tall yet, but none of them were ever that great. They were mostly guys who annoyed me. Shawn was my first real boyfriend, and I never thought I’d attract the attention of someone like Gavin. But it kind of feels like I just did.

 

*

 

I think about texting Livi all during second and third period, but then I decide that news this juicy needs to be told in person. It sucks that we don’t have lunch together this year, because that’s the only time we have to unwind during the day. Instead, I sit with Erin, who is Livi’s cousin. She’s a sophomore with the same blonde hair as Livi, but she keeps hers cut short in a bob. She’s also crazy smart and participates in every nerd club they have at school. But she’s a good friend who never spreads gossip, so although I wish Livi were here with us, at least I have someone to hang out with during lunch.

“Someone keeps staring at her phone,” Erin says, giving me a curious look as she takes a bite of her sandwich. “Anything good on Snapchat?”

I shake my head. “I’m just bored.” The truth is that I can’t stop thinking about how I now have Gavin Voss’ phone number saved and he has mine. I kind of wish Shawn could see me now, hanging out with a guy who is better than him.

Just like how Shawn’s new girlfriend Mindy is better than me.

I shove the thought away and turn my attention to the pizza I got for lunch.

My phone lights up.

 

Gavin: Hi there

 

I look up. I don’t know where Gavin sits, or if he’s even in this lunch period, but it feels like I’m being watched. Slowly, my eyes drift over the tables until I find one with a bunch of jocks scarfing down tons of food. Gavin is staring right at me. He’s flocked on both sides by his friends, but none of them are paying attention to him. He grins and types something on this phone.

 

Gavin: You should come sit with me

 

I swallow the bite of food in my mouth and glance over at Erin, who is busy trying to open her can of soda without messing up her manicure.

 

Me: I don’t want to leave my friend

Gavin: Bring her

 

I glance back at him and he’s talking with TJ, who’s sitting next to him. He looks back over at me a moment later. He lifts an eyebrow and nods his head in a motion that’s telling me to join him.

I text him back.

 

Me: Big table of jocks isn’t my idea of a good lunch break

 

I watch him read my text from across the room. He laughs and then smacks one of his friends as they steal some fries off his lunch tray.

 

Gavin: Understandable.

Me: Are we still on for tonight?

Gavin: of course

 

I bite down on my lip to keep from smiling. What is this? What’s happening? I mean, to an outsider it would seem that the gorgeous Gavin Voss is flirting with me. But I’m scared to let myself bask in that feeling until I know it’s true.

Somehow, I manage to get through the rest of lunch without saying anything about him to Erin. It’s not that I don’t want her to know, but Livi is my best friend and I should tell her first. Which is exactly what I do the very second the final bell rings.

I rush out of my last class and head toward the hallway where Livi’s locker is. I meet her there right when she does and I grab her arm as she’s messing with her locker combination.

“I have news.”

“Did they catch the greenhouse guys?” She shoves her textbook into her locker and then slams the door closed.

“No, but this is better. Well…it’s good. It’s not better. We still need to find those guys, but this might actually help me do it.”

“Okay, I’m intrigued,” she says, looping her arm through mine as we make our way toward the bus lot.

“We have to be alone first,” I say. “Too many people could overhear right now.”

“Oh crap, now I have to know!”

I grin. “I’ve been dying to tell you all freaking day.”

As soon as we’re outside, I pull her to the edge of the bus pickup line. I glance around, and when no one is within earshot, I say, “I’m pretty sure Gavin Voss just asked me on, like, a date.”

Livi’s eyes go wide. “The soccer player? Tall guy?”

I nod eagerly. “Holy shit,” she breathes. “That’s amazing! I mean, duh. I know you’re beautiful and smart and perfect for any guy, but I’m just glad someone like him was smart enough to see it, too.”

“I love you and your loyalty,” I say with a laugh. “I am not that great. I don’t know why he did, but he asked if I want to hang out tonight and he’s going to pick me up at my house and everything.”

“Well, a date on a Wednesday is kind of awesome. It means he likes you so much he can’t wait until the weekend.”

My good mood falters. “Or it means he doesn’t like me that much and would rather save the weekend for hotter girls he likes more.”

She rolls her eyes. “No. If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t have asked you out. I bet he also wants to hang this weekend. Oh my God, I’m so excited for you!”

“Don’t say anything, okay?” I can feel my phone in my back pocket, but suddenly I want to check it, just to confirm that his texts earlier were real and not all in my imagination. “I don’t want people to think I’m making more out of it than it is.”

“Girl, I got you.” Livi wiggles her eyebrows. “You need to change your mindset. Gavin Voss is lucky to be seen with you. He should be begging to have your attention.”

I laugh. “Okay, sure, I can play pretend too.”

The teacher on duty yells out that everyone needs to hurry and get on the bus. Freaking school is always on a schedule, and I hardly ever see my best friend.

“I’ll tell you what happens,” I say as we rush to our buses.

“Every single detail!” Livi calls back to me.

I jog up the bus stairs and swing into an empty seat near the back. The whole ride home I can’t stop thinking about Gavin and our “hang out” session tonight. What will he want to do? Is it a date? Or will we watch TV at my house? What should I wear?

As much as I hope it is a date, and that Gavin actually likes me, I also don’t mind if it’s just a friend thing. Because for the first time since Shawn dumped me, I’m feeling hopeful about the idea of dating again. All those talks about broken hearts needing time are totally right. I feel healed now. Like I can fully move on and get excited about a guy again.

On top of all of this, Fate has handed me something extra special. A member of the soccer team. If I can just flirt enough to win him over, maybe he’ll tell me exactly what I want to know.