Hearts Overboard

I dragged my eyes back to his to find them aimed at my mouth. Heat flooded me. What was happening? Was I wondering what it would be like to kiss him? Surely he wasn’t thinking the same thing. Half of me wanted that

I glared at Tanner, who mouthed at me to ‘smile,’ because a guy telling a girl to do that was guaranteed to end well.

I didn't want to be with someone who put me in a box. I was far too skilled at doing that to myself. I wanted someone who showed me I could break out of it then helped me do it and supported me as I did. Someone who wouldn't, as Tanner had pointed out, run away when I tried to climb back into it, but would help me be my best even when I couldn't see what that meant.

Someone near us was holding a small canister and inspecting it. When he shook it and held out his other arm, the guy with him grabbed his hand. "Dude. That's bear spray." "Yeah, it keeps the bears away.” “It doesn't work like bug spray, man. You spray the bear not yourself." "Why would I spray the bear?

I love a good s’more” Tanner said. "Plus, it’s a fun word to say." "Is that why you call me that?" "Um, because it’s your name. S. Moore. Do you not like it? I can stop.” "No, don't" I said too quickly, and his lips curved up."I mean, it's not the worst nickname you've given me" "It's a great nickname. S'mores mean summer and the outdoors and being with friends and campfires. They're crunchy on the outside but sweet and gooey on the inside, and they're delicious. They remind you of childhood and they make you smile. And they're addictive. Once you try one, you want more. Its right there in the name." He had twisted to look at me. Flames gilded his profile and burnished his dark hair. Air caught in my throat. Were we still talking about dessert?

Half of me wanted that, half wanted to run, and half wanted to melt into a puddle under the heat of his gaze. And yes, that was too many halves, but Tanner had reduced me to violating the laws of mathematics.

I started to stiffen, decided I was comfortable if he was, and stayed. But now I was aware of every breath, the way my shoulder hitched against his, my hands, which were awkwardly resting on my legs. What was I supposed to do with them? What even were they for? Why had I never realized how weird hands were?

I was in a strange town in a strange state with Tanner Woods, and it was all very strange, and it was no wonder I didn't get an A in English, because I seriously needed another word and a thesaurus.

He dumped you in public on the last day of school. You do not need him.” "Thank you for the unsolicited opinion on my personal life, Would you also like to advise me on the experiences of women in STEM, my wardrobe, and my dental hygiene?

And what is it you want. Savannah?" His voice was low and rough. I waited until he looked at me again. "Isn't that obvious? I want you. If you want that, too. I mean, us." The corners of his eyes crinkled as a slow smile enveloped his face. "How can I not want someone willing to face their fears to rescue me? Someone who challenges me and makes me laugh? Someone who helps me be better but accepts me when I'm not?" He'd said it perfectly. "You are, too, you know." I said. "All of that, for me." One of his hands reached out and grabbed mine.

I'd be fine without either of them. I didn't need a guy. But was it wrong to enjoy spending time with one who made me happy and brought out parts of me I didn't know existed?

I took the second microphone as Green Day lyrics appeared. Our moms' old favorite. I shook my head as my gaze met Tanner’s, but a thrill went through me. We belted out words with the confidence of kids subjected to lots of nineties music. Jordan would have been proud.

I had no interest in making small talk with their coworkers, who always commented on how big I'd gotten and how old I was, then shook their heads and murmured about how old they were, like that was somehow my fault.