admit, I liked this new feeling of invincibility. I felt like I had the courage to do anything—maybe even go after other things I might want.
My fingers traced my lips as I thought about our victory kiss. My whole body tingled with the memory. I sighed as I walked into my bedroom and slipped out of Wyatt’s warm leather jacket, hanging it on my bedpost. I showered quickly and climbed into bed, letting thoughts of my incredible night lull me to sleep.
Chapter Forty
Layne
“What?” Wyatt asked, looking much too handsome considering the hour. “I thought it was my turn to bring breakfast.”
He stood on my front porch with a large pink box of donuts. “Did you bring enough for the whole neighborhood?”
He laughed. “Well, I did buy half a dozen for Robby to ensure we’d actually get some.”
“And the rest?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I thought maybe your mom might like some.”
“Well, that was sweet but she’s at work.” I replied, wishing I’d had the foresight to at least put on cute pajamas last night.
I’d known he was picking me up this morning. I should’ve planned ahead.
I led Wyatt inside, nervously twisting my hair into a braid, wishing I’d called Lola before I went to bed. She would’ve made sure I was prepared. She was always good with those kinds of details—how to look girly and adorable.
Lola would have ordered me to wear a pair of matching pajamas like the cute sets she always wore. Instead, I was still wearing my glasses, baggy polka dot pants and a red music camp t-shirt from eighth grade. It fit more like a crop top than the t-shirt it used to be. But it was the last summer I’d been able to afford to go and it held a special place in my heart.
That was the summer Lola and I made our pact to do the Diva competition together. That’s what we’d called it back then—and I guess, now too.
Man, did I miss my best friend. I crossed my arms self-consciously over my chest and sighed over my wardrobe fail. Too late to change now. I walked into the kitchen and knocked on the wall between my house and Robby’s and shouted. “Robby, breakfast!”
About thirty seconds later the back door to my kitchen banged open and Robby burst in wearing his Star Wars pajamas. At least I could always count on Robby to look dorkier than me.
“Wyatt!” he greeted much too loudly. “What’d you bring me?”
“Well, they’re no clown waffles, but how do you feel about donuts?”
Robby recognized the box. “From Sweet Pea’s? Yes!” he swooped in to examine his options.
I knew I should’ve reminded him of his manners, but I was exhausted, and normally, I didn’t have Robby-duty on the weekends. Still in my foggy morning trance, I moved to the stove, turning the kettle on. “Do you want coffee?” I asked Wyatt through a yawn.
He gave me an incredulous look. “Our drinks are in the car.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and leaned against my kitchen counter. “Though it doesn’t look like you’re ready to go, so why don’t I bring them inside?”
“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t realize you’d be here so early.”
He grinned. “Being a diva is hard work, huh?”
Robby snorted. “Layne’s not a diva.”
“She is too,” Wyatt replied. “She sang with a band last night.”
“No way,” Robby said, managing to get more chocolate on his face than in his mouth as he took another bite of his donut.
“It’s true,” Wyatt confirmed, his green eyes sparkling when they met mine.
Robby looked between us for a moment as if he was considering believing Wyatt, then he snorted another laugh, his mind already back on more important things, like picking his next donut. In true Robby style, he was already onto the next subject. “Wyatt, can I go for a ride in your car?”
“Sorry, mate. I’m kind of in a bit of a rush today.”
“Oh man!” Robby whined. “I told my friend Thomas at school that you have the coolest car on the planet, and he doesn’t believe me. I wanted to call him while I was riding in it.”
“How ‘bout we take some pictures of you standing next to Scarlet so you can show this Thomas character you speak the truth?”
“That’s a great idea! You’re the best!” Robby exclaimed, already running toward the door.
Wyatt turned to me. “I am actually in a bit of a rush this morning. I have a stop to make before we head back to my house, if