More Than Friends (Friends, #2)(48)

I slowly shake my head.

Her eyes fill with surprise, but she recovers quickly. “What about washing dishes? Have you ever done that?”

Again, another slow shake of my head.

“Seriously?” Her voice squeaks. “Well, I’m going to teach you.”

I frown. “What about the cheesecake?”

Amanda laughs and it’s the best sound. I don’t need alcohol or weed or whatever when I have her around to fill me up with her laughter. “We’ll finish gathering the dirty dishes and then we’ll have cheesecake. After cheesecake, we’ll wash the dishes. Deal?”

I pull her into my arms and give her a quick kiss, wishing I could give her more. “Deal.”





“He came over to your house for dinner?” Livvy sounds shocked. Not that I can blame her.

I’m still fairly shocked too. I’d been so nervous yesterday, but the moment Jordan showed up with flowers for my mom and I saw how naturally he talked to my dad like they were old friends, I couldn’t believe how easy the night became.

Jordan enjoyed the meal—Mom was super nervous about that—he laughed when my brother told him stupid jokes and he gave Dad the scoop about the football team and what their chances are to go all the way to the state championship.

I loved watching them talk about football. I got my love for the game from Dad, who has been a Raiders fanatic forever. They’re not the best team, but Dad doesn’t care. He’s loyal to a fault, and while George never showed much interest in football and Trent gave up playing league football last year, I’m the one who’ll sit with Dad and watch the games. Listen to him rattle off stats and explain what’s happening and why certain players make certain plays.

“You two are getting serious,” Livvy says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

We’re hanging out in her mom’s car in the senior lot before the first bell rings. It’s drizzling outside and windy. We don’t want to get out of the car and Liv has texted Ryan multiple times, asking if he’d meet us with an umbrella in the next five minutes.

So far, no response.

“I guess so.” I don’t want to say anything more for fear I might jinx myself—and us. And when I say us, I mean me and Jordan.

“What did your parents think? About Tuttle?”

“They liked him a lot. He brought my mom flowers.” A beautiful arrangement of fall flowers, including sunflowers, which are my favorite. I was jealous of that stupid bouquet too. He hasn’t brought me flowers, yet he gave some to my mom?

Life isn’t fair sometimes.

“Wow, slick. He’s good with parents then. No surprise.” Livvy whistles, making me laugh. “I’m serious! The most Ryan has brought my mom is trouble.” We start laughing even more.

“Your mom doesn’t like Ryan?” I already know the answer. Liv’s mom wasn’t thrilled she spent the night at Ryan’s house for his birthday party, so he has a mark against him. And that’s a pretty big mark.

“She’s getting better. Fitch seems to like him.” Liv makes a face. Fitch is the guy her mom is dating. Liv hates him, says he gives her the creeps. I’ve been around him a couple of times, and I have to agree.

“Did Ryan ever get back to you about the umbrella or whatever?” I glance out the window. The rain is now coming down hard, and the parking lot always fills up with major puddles when a good rain comes through. I’m going to get soaked and look terrible for the entire day if I have to walk outside even a few feet without an umbrella. And the main building is more than a few feet away from my car.

Grabbing my phone, I send off a quick text to Jordan.



Rescue me from the rain and I’ll be yours forever.



I get an immediate reply.



Was that a line from a Juliet entry or what? Very poetic. :)

He actually sent me a smiley face.

No. I’m being serious. Rescue us from Liv’s mom’s car. It’s raining so hard and I don’t want to walk in it. Neither does Liv. We’re in a newer silver Accord.



You want me to come to your rescue.



Yes.



And you’ll be mine forever if I do.



I chew on my thumbnail before I answer him.



Yes.



So I can do whatever I want to you and you have to agree.



My skin goes warm. What kind of question is that?



Depends on what you’re talking about.



You won’t be disappointed. Promise.



Within seconds I hear tires screeching and there’s Jordan parking right alongside Livvy’s car.



Get your stuff and get in my car. Tell Livvy to stay put.



“Jordan is giving us a ride to the front building,” I say to Livvy.

She turns to look at me with a frown. “What are you talking about?”

“He’s right there.” I indicate his parked car with a wave of my hand. “I’m going to jump in his car but stay put. He’ll drive around to your side of the car in a minute.”

I grab my backpack and bail out of the car, hopping into the passenger side of the Range Rover within seconds and only the tiniest bit damp. He smiles at me, leans over to give me a little kiss, then throws the car into drive and wheels it around to the driver’s side of Liv’s mom’s car. Livvy goes through the same process, and after she climbs into the Rover, Jordan takes her keys and hits the remote to lock it before rolling up his window.