Operation Prom Date (Tactics in Flirting, #1)(22)

I moved the screen into the position that found the most constellations. I pointed out the Big Dipper, which was the one most people knew, then moved on to Virgo and Corona Borealis. “There’s Hercules. See?”

The lines on the screen shifted as I honed in on it, outlining the stars.

“And what’s the story behind that?” The breeze stirred up the scent of the lake, that fresh-water and pine smell, and it mixed in with Kate’s perfume. Suddenly it took a lot more effort than usual to focus on her words instead of the press of her warm body against my arm. “I mean, I know who Hercules is, but why did he get a constellation?”

I thought about feigning ignorance, but this was Kate, and how often did I get to talk about the stars? “As the mother of a dragon, I’m not sure you’ll like it too much. He’s standing victoriously on Draco’s head. Killing the dragon Ladon is thought to be Hercules’s biggest victory.”

“If Hercules came near my dragon, I’d take him out.” She held up her fists as if she were ready for a fight.

“You’re just going to take on one of the strongest heroes in mythology?”

“To save Klaus? Um, yeah.”

My hand found its way to hers. “I’d put my money on you.”

“I might not have had the patience to hear about this a few years ago, but I’m finding it really cool now. So what happens when you point it at someone’s face?” She took my phone out of my hands and aimed the screen at me.

“I can’t see it,” I said, “but I’m guessing nothing happens besides seeing a really dark outline of my face.”

“Wrong. I can see this constellation that represents a story about a boy named Cooper, who dreamed about sailing, until one day, his father—Zeus, of course, because Zeus has trouble keeping it in his pants…”

“Maybe someone instructed him to ‘whip it out.’”

Kate lowered the screen long enough to give me a reprimanding look. “Anyway, Zeus knew how much his son Cooper loved the sea, so he gave him a magical rowboat that could withstand even the wildest storms, and asked Poseidon to watch out for him.” Her eyes peeked over the top of the screen, the phone covering her nose and mouth. “And now he travels the seas, barking orders to go faster, all in pursuit of the most impressive time in the seven seas.” She shot me an over-the-top grin.

I took my phone from her and shook my head. “Smart-ass.”

“I’ve exhausted all my Greek mythology knowledge, anyway.”

“What? You don’t ship any couples from back then?”

“Of course I do.” She pulled up one knee and tucked her chin on top of it. “I mean, I’m sure I would if I knew more about them. I’ll do some research over the weekend and get back to you on that.”

“Can’t wait.” I made sure it came out on the teasing sounding end of the spectrum, but honestly, it was the truth.

“And if they don’t have any constellations for them, we’re gonna have to fix that. So you better be prepared, or else.”

This time, I saluted her.

She laughed, the happy sound echoing across the waves, only to come back and smack me right in the chest.

She glanced at the time and sighed. “My mom’s cool and all, but I probably shouldn’t push it.” She jumped to her feet and extended a hand to me, like I’d need help to get up.

I didn’t, but I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to hold on to her, just for a second or two. Yep, way too much perfume-sniffing, and I think talking constellations did a number on me, too.

I stepped on the soda cans, flattening them so I could pack them back easier, because nothing drove me more crazy than people who left their trash everywhere—especially on the shores of my lake.

Kate practically bounced her way down the dock, her excitement for life in general contagious. “I think tonight went pretty well. I actually talked to Mick, like more than a sentence, too, and he knew my name already, which shows promise.” Her mouth twisted. “It’s a little weird that most of our classmates think we’re off hooking up right now, but I guess if it works, it’s worth it.”

“Totally worth it,” I said, with much more conviction than I felt. Then, because I liked it when Kate was happy, I added, “Operation Prom Date is off to a promising start.”

Kate held her hand up for a high-five and I slapped my palm to hers. “Hooah!”





Chapter Thirteen


Cooper


When I approached Kate on Monday morning, she had a bigger crowd than usual around her. Well, usually she was alone, so that wasn’t very hard. But Jaden, Dexter, and the stoner dude whose name I couldn’t recall stood next to her.

She flashed me a big smile and lifted her hand in a wave. “Morning, Cooper.”

“Hey, Coop,” Jaden said, pushing himself off the locker he was lounging against. “We were just talking about the party. Did you hear the cops broke it up around eleven? Noise complaint, apparently.”

“Glad we took off before then.” Kate winked at me. I wished I could enjoy it more, but I couldn’t help noticing the way the guys in the near vicinity—including my closest friend and usual rowing partner—were looking at her. She had on a black scoop neck top, these tight, bright blue pants, and the silver ribbon she’d tied around her dark hair to form a headband somehow made the look more sexy than innocent. Like she was a good girl just waiting to go bad.