by Destiny, A.
Simone glanced from me to Logan and back again, her happy expression fading into one of concern. Just then a piercing whistle came from the direction of the pitcher’s mound. Simone glanced that way.
“Looks like we’re getting started,” she said. “We’d better get over there or Vinnie will pop a blood vessel.”
I was grateful to her for ending the awkward moment, even though she was the one who’d caused it. We all headed for the pitcher’s mound.
“Who’s Vinnie?” Logan asked as we walked.
“Our coach,” I said. “Tall skinny guy over there with the whistle.”
Simone nodded. “He’s a senior, so he’s really determined to kick some Co-Ed butt this year,” she told Logan. “Especially since the Lo-Ed team has lost the past two years.”
Vinnie was standing in front of the dugout with a whistle hanging out of his mouth. Simone led us over to him.
“Hey, Vinnie, this is Logan,” she said. “He wants to play. He just moved here.”
Vinnie looked Logan up and down. “You any good?”
“Guess we’ll find out,” Logan replied with a shrug. “I haven’t played kickball since I was a kid.”
It turned out he was pretty good. Watching Logan kick and field and even pitch, I actually forgot about that morning’s disaster. Mostly, anyway. By the end of practice, Vinnie was treating him like his new best friend. Everyone else seemed glad to have him on the team too.
“Welcome to the Lo-Eds, bro,” Darius said, clapping Logan on the back as we all straggled off the field.
“Yeah,” Zoe added. “Maybe we’ll actually pull out a win this year.”
“Hey, miracles happen, right?” Matt barked out a laugh, then bent down and wiped his sweaty face on Simone’s shirtsleeve.
“Ew!” she cried, shoving him away. “You’re such a dork!”
“I know. But you love it.” He grabbed her by the waist and twirled her around and around. She pretended to still be annoyed, but she couldn’t help laughing.
“Knock it off, you two.” Darius grabbed Matt’s arm, making him stumble and almost drop Simone in the mud. “I’m starving. Who’s up for pizza?”
“I’ve got a better idea.” Simone shoved Matt away and reached back to adjust her ponytail. “Let’s all go to Eats. I’m craving some hot chocolate.”
Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Excellent idea!”
Uh-oh. I shot Simone an irritated look. Was this another of her not-so-subtle attempts at shoving Logan and me together? Would that girl never learn?
Matt and Darius traded a glance and a shrug. “Come to think of it, I could go for a Belly Buster turkey platter,” Darius said.
“Yeah.” Matt glanced at Logan. “You in, bro?”
“Sure.” Logan smiled at me. “Let’s go.”
What was I supposed to do now? Killing Simone was right up there on the list of possibilities, but instead I just smiled back at Logan.
“Um, sure,” I said. “Sounds good.”
Great-Aunt Ellen was behind the counter when we came in. She was tiny and plump and pink-cheeked, with purple-framed spectacles hanging on a chain around her neck and a crazy laugh that sounded like a dying foghorn. As I might have mentioned, she also baked the best cookies, cakes, and pastries in the world.
“Bailey!” she greeted me, her hazel eyes twinkling. “Come to work an extra shift?”
“No way, you can’t have her!” Simone joked, wrapping her arms around me from behind. “She’s off duty today.”
“If you say so, Simone.” Great-Aunt Ellen beamed at Simone. “Hello, Zoe. How are your parents?”
“They’re fine,” Zoe said. “They’re still talking about that amazing cake you made for their anniversary.”
“Good, good.” Great-Aunt Ellen lifted her glasses to her face to peer curiously at the boys. “And who have we here?”
“This is my boyfriend, Matt,” Simone said. “That’s Darius, and that’s Logan.”
Just then Susannah bustled out of the kitchen carrying a tray of donuts. “Oh, hi, guys,” she said. “What’s up?”
“We just came from kickball practice,” Matt told her. “We’re pumped and ready to take you Co-Eds down next weekend!”
“Oh yeah?” Susannah smirked. “We’ll see about that. Now, did you just come in here to trash-talk, or can I take your order?”
“Yes, what will it be, kids?” Great-Aunt Ellen said.
Simone glanced at the rest of us. “Hot chocolate all around?” she said.
“None for me,” Logan said. “I’ll just have a ginger ale or something.”
Matt punched him lightly on the arm. “You’ll regret that, Morse,” he said. “The cocoa in this place is legendary.”
“Can’t do it, dude.” Logan shrugged. “Allergies.”
“You’re allergic to hot chocolate?” Zoe sounded as horrified as if he’d said he was allergic to breathing. She wasn’t as obsessed with all things Theobroma cacao as Ling was, but she came close.
“Anything chocolate,” Logan clarified. “It’s a bummer, but I’m used to it by now.”
“Ginger ale it is.” Great-Aunt Ellen made a note on her pad while Susannah headed for the soda machine along the back wall. “Anything else?”
Zoe and the guys ordered sandwiches, and Simone asked for one of the fresh donuts Susannah had just brought out. I passed on the solid food. Being around Logan made my stomach feel kind of funny, and I figured it was better not to risk it. I’d be lucky if I made it through this without spilling hot chocolate all over myself.
While Susannah took our order into the kitchen to make the sandwiches, we went to find a seat. All the booths were full, so we dragged two smaller tables together to make room for the six of us. I ended up sitting between Logan and Zoe. Across the table, Matt immediately threw one arm around Simone and started whispering in her ear, making her giggle. Zoe and Darius resumed the intense kickball strategy discussion they’d begun on the way over.
That left me and Logan. We listened to Zoe and Darius for a bit, but soon Logan started playing with the salt and pepper shakers. Uh-oh. Was he bored? Did he regret tagging along with us?
“Um . . . ,” I began, trying to think of something to say.
He turned to me. “Did you say something?”
“No,” I said. “I mean yes. Uh, so you’re definitely getting that dog, huh? Um, Patch?”
“I think so.” He looked worried. “Why? Do you think I shouldn’t?”
“No, no, it’s not that.” Okay, I was really messing up here. Taking a deep breath, I eked out a smile. “I thought he was great. Really cute and fun.”
“Oh. Good.” He seemed relieved. “Because actually, after you left, Ling and Megan were both saying I shouldn’t decide too quickly, before I checked out all my options. They dragged me back out to look at some other dogs.”
“Really?” I was already regretting this. Why had I brought up our trip to the animal shelter, given how it had ended?
He nodded. “They both said they were looking for dogs too. But the funny thing is, they kept pointing out dogs they thought I should get. For instance, Megan insisted this one fluffy little Chihuahua cross would be perfect.”
“Yeah, I don’t really see you with a Chihuahua.” I actually smiled as I tried to imagine it. “Did she want you to carry it around school in your backpack, like those celebrities who stick them in their purses?”
“Maybe.” He laughed. “I told her I wanted a dog that could go running with me and stuff like that. So next she picked out a nice wiener dog with legs about two inches long, and Ling found this big black thing that was approximately the size of a small horse.”
“Ling did take riding lessons for a while back in middle school,” I said. “Maybe she thought it was a horse.”
He laughed. “Anyway, after that Megan was trying to talk me into getting these two puppies that were barely old enough to have their eyes open. They were awfully cute, but I’m not sure I’m ready to raise two puppies. Not
to mention what Mom would say.”
“Did you tell Megan that?” I asked.
“Yeah. She said she was experienced with baby animals and was willing to come over a lot and help me. Ling seemed pretty skeptical, though. She said Megan’s never even had a dog before.” He shot me an amused look. “True?”
“True.” I felt a little guilty blowing Megan’s cover, but it sounded as if Ling had already taken care of that. “Her dad has an incredible saltwater fish tank in his dental office, though.”
Logan nodded. “Good thing I didn’t have those two helping me from the start. Otherwise I probably never would’ve found Patch.” Leaning closer, he nudged me with his shoulder. “Thanks again for coming this morning.”
“You’re welcome. It was fun.”
Just then Susannah arrived with our order. Zoe and Matt razzed her a little more about being on the Co-Ed team; Susannah threatened to take all their food back to the kitchen and spit in it; everyone cracked up. Good times. After that, everyone talked and laughed and ate, and Logan fit in so well that it was hard to remember he hadn’t always hung out with us.
Later, after we’d finished every speck of food on the table, Darius checked his watch. “Whoa—it’s getting late. I’d better go,” he said, sounding reluctant. “I’m supposed to babysit my little sisters tonight.”
“On a Saturday night?” Matt shook his head. “Oh, dude!”
“Yeah. My parents have date night tonight.” Darius made a face. “Lame, right? But hey!” He brightened. “You guys could come over if you want. We could play some video games, order a pizza . . .”
“Pizza?” Simone let out a groan. “How can you even think about eating again already?”
Matt ignored her. “I’m in,” he said, standing up to trade a high five with Darius. Then he turned to Logan. “What do you say? D has a huge video-game collection.”
“Really?” Logan looked interested. “Okay, sounds fun. I’m there.”
Matt high-fived him, too. Then he reached down and tugged on Simone’s ponytail. “What about you, babe? Want to come watch me humiliate these two at every game ever invented?”
“Sounds thrilling, but I’ll pass.” Simone rolled her eyes, then glanced at Logan. “Sorry you got roped into hanging with these geeks tonight, Logan. I hope you have more interesting plans for the rest of the weekend. Doing anything fun tomorrow?”
She sounded totally casual and innocent, but I knew better. I tossed her a warning look.
Which she completely ignored, of course. “Because if you don’t have anything going on, you should stop by here again,” she continued brightly. “On Sunday mornings, Bailey’s great-aunt makes these huge bear claws that are absolutely scrumptious. And since Bailey’s working, she can make sure you get one fresh out of the oven. Right, Bails?”
“Sounds great, but I’ll have to take a rain check,” Logan said. “My parents are dragging me to some distant relative’s fiftieth-birthday barbecue tomorrow. I’ll be gone all day.”
“Oh.” Simone sounded disappointed. “Too bad.”
I couldn’t help being disappointed too. Not that I’d expected to hang out with Logan again tomorrow or anything. Still.
The other guys were already heading for the door. Logan stood to follow.
“This was fun, everyone,” he said, smiling at Simone and Zoe. Then he reached down and squeezed my shoulder. “See you on Monday, Bailey.”
Simone smirked at that, and even Zoe raised an eyebrow. Luckily, Logan didn’t notice, since he was already hurrying after the other guys.
My hand strayed to my shoulder where he’d touched it. “Yeah,” I murmured, even though he was already too far away to hear me. “See you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Earth to Bailey.” Susannah waved her hand in front of my face. “You there?”
I blinked and straightened up. The Sunday morning rush had petered out, and the brunch crowd wouldn’t start trickling in for another hour or so. I was supposed to be changing the filters in the coffee machine. Now I realized I’d drifted off into a daydream partway through. I know it wasn’t physiologically probable that my shoulder was still tingling where Logan had squeezed it the previous afternoon. But it felt as if it was.
“Sorry,” I told Susannah. “What did you say?”
She grabbed the last filter out of my hand and slid it into place. “I said I’m going to make a delivery, and your dad’s on the phone. Can you handle the register by yourself for a few minutes?”
I glanced out at the mostly empty tables. “I think I can manage,” I said with a smile.
I was counting the change in Methuselah’s drawer when Ling came in. I hadn’t seen or spoken to her since leaving the animal shelter the day before.
“Bailey,” she said briskly, hurrying over. “Good, you’re here.”
“Where else would I be? I’m always here,” I joked weakly as I slid the cash drawer shut. “Want some coffee?”
“No, thanks.” She leaned forward. “So is it true that Megan came in here the other day and bought some fancy personalized cupcake for Logan?”
“Um, where did you hear that?” Yes, I was stalling for time. Somehow it felt wrong to tattle on one of my friends to another. Even if they were both acting like huge idiots lately.
Ling smiled grimly. “Doesn’t matter. Anyway, everyone knows she’s being totally pathetic about this whole Logan thing.”
I just cleared my throat. She seemed to take that as agreement.
“So I want to show Logan that I’m way cooler than her.” Ling flipped her long, dark hair over her shoulder. “I’m going to get him a much better cupcake.” She stepped over to peer into the bakery case. “Which kind did she give him?”
I still felt guilty for talking about Megan behind her back. Not to mention a little irritated by the way Ling was acting. But the scarily intense look in her eye made me afraid not to answer.
“The regular kind.” I pointed. “Vanilla with buttercream frosting.”
“Bo-ring!” Ling wrinkled her nose. “Seriously, the girl has no imagination.” She leaned closer to the case. “What’s that one? The big chocolate one there?”
“That’s Great-Aunt Ellen’s newest recipe—devil’s food cake with triple-fudge frosting.” Since none of us had known until the day before that Logan was allergic to chocolate, I guessed Ling didn’t know it, either. “But—”
“That sounds amazing!” she interrupted, her eyes lighting up. “Can you put a message on that? And maybe some extra swirls or something to make it look fancier?”
“Sure, I guess. But listen—”
“How long will it take? I want to stop by his house as soon as it’s ready.” She leaned closer, glancing around to make sure nobody was listening. Since the only people in view were a couple of old ladies gossiping over tea and cookies, I wasn’t sure why she was worried. “See, I’m hoping he’ll decide to take me out to a movie or something. And the matinees all start before like one thirty.”
“Okay. But seriously, Ling, I need to tell you something. . . .” Actually, a couple of things. Like that Logan would probably break out in hives if he even looked at that particular cupcake, and that he wasn’t going to be home all day.
She looked up from digging through her purse. “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Her voice suddenly went sharp. “What were you doing with Logan at the shelter yesterday?”
I gulped. Was that suspicion I saw in her shrewd brown eyes?
“You don’t have a little crush on him or something, do you, Bailey?” she demanded, leaning closer. “Because if you do, you’d better back off. It’s annoying enough having Megan throwing herself at him without everyone else getting into the act.”
I took a half step back, annoyance bubbling up inside me. Most of the time I liked to play it cool, avoid trouble. But this was too much. Sure, Ling could be kind of ruthless sometimes. But this was getting ridiculous even for her. What right did she have to tell me who I could or couldn�
�t have a crush on?
“Don’t be silly,” I said as calmly as I could. “So you want the devil’s food, huh? What’s your message?”
She examined me for another second; then her face relaxed into a smile. “I just want it to say ‘For Logan, from Ling.’ Maybe in blue icing, if you’ve got some? That’s his favorite color, you know.”
“Blue it is.” I scribbled the order onto the pad by the register. “It’ll be ready in twenty minutes or so.”
“Cool. That gives me just enough time to run to the drugstore and pick up some lip gloss. Just in case my lips get chapped from too much kissing or something, you know?” Ling pursed her lips playfully. “Be back in a few. Thanks, Bailey.”
“No problem.” I kept my smile steady until she was gone, then collapsed against the counter.
Had I really just done that? Wow. So not like me. Of course, there was no doubt Megan would have done what I’d just done, and worse, given the chance. Or Ling herself, for that matter. Somehow, though, that didn’t make me feel much better. Was I really turning into one of them?
I put my hand in the pocket of my apron, touching the smooth plastic casing of my cell phone. Maybe I should text Ling right now, tell her the truth. Well, the truth about Logan’s chocolate allergy and his plans for today, anyway—I wasn’t about to fill her in on my confusing and constantly changing feelings about Logan.
At that moment my father came through the swinging doors carrying a paper bag of sandwiches. “Bailey—just the person I wanted to see!” he sang out. “Want to run this delivery over to the dorms? It’s a nice day out there—I figured you could use the fresh air.”
“Sure. Is Great-Aunt Ellen still back there? We got a rush cupcake order.” I ripped Ling’s sheet off the pad and handed it to him. “She’s coming back to pick it up in twenty minutes.”
My dad nodded, and I made my escape with the sandwiches, telling myself it was no big deal. Logan wasn’t home anyway, and Ling deserved a little payback for the way she’d been acting.
This didn’t mean I was like her and Megan at all.
“The best part is, Ling totally blames Megan for the whole thing.” Simone dodged a distracted freshman. “She thinks she set her up by talking about that cupcake she gave him.”