I didn't expect much when Connor Sharpe followed me back.
Just some random notification while hanging out with my best friend.
But one simple "hi" turns into something neither of us saw coming.
A couple of years apart, different grades, and a millio...
I nodded, fiddling with my fingers, suddenly shy. “Yeah. I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while now.”
He reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “I like you too. More than you know.”
Before I even realized it, Connor was leaning in closer, his warm breath brushing against my cheek. My heart was pounding so loud I thought he might hear it too. Then, suddenly, our lips met, soft, hesitant at first, then growing more sure.
But then—crack!
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. Connor and I pulled apart just as the door swung open.
“Caught you two!” His dad, Ron, grinned with mock sternness, holding a flashlight. We were the last two persons in the game.
I scrambled to my feet, cheeks burning, while Connor just laughed nervously.
“Well, I guess the game’s over,” Ron said with a wink.
And just like that, the moment was interrupted, but I couldn’t help smiling. Because now, Connor knew. And so did I.
------------------------- In the back yard
The air outside was warm but breezy. Birds chirped in the distance, mixing with the crackle of the grill.
Ron, in classic dad mode, stood by the grill with Logan by his side with his iconic “Kiss the Cook” apron and a pair of tongs in one hand. Smoke curled up from the sizzling burgers and marinated chicken he was flipping expertly.
Meanwhile, I was at the outdoor counter with Barbra and Samantha. They had set up a little veggie station, and I somehow got roped into helping them chop up cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes for the massive summer salad we were making.
Barbra looked over at me with a warm smile as she sliced avocados. “You girls did an amazing job with the brownies last time,” she said, bumping her shoulder gently into mine. “Ron wouldn’t shut up about them for three days.”
I laughed, cheeks warming. “I’m glad! I feel like I didn’t help that much though.”
Samantha smiled. “I'm sure you were moral support. And comic relief. That’s just as important.”
We all giggled, the kind of carefree laughter that only comes with good company. I liked how relaxed I felt with their family. It wasn’t forced, it was cozy.
Behind us, the music playing from the speaker shifted to something summery and upbeat. I looked back and spotted Yumi dramatically lip syncing the lyrics to Jake and Laura, who were both cracking up. Aidan was tossing a football up into the air, catching it lazily as he talked to Chewy(?)
Connor was sitting on one of the picnic benches, drink in hand, sunglasses pushing back his messy hair. He was laughing at something that Logan said, but then his eyes flicked to me and stayed there. The corner of his mouth lifted into a grin.
I quickly looked away, suddenly hyper-aware of how my tank top clung to my skin in the heat.
Samantha raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Ohhh?”
“What?” I asked, trying to play dumb, but Barbra had already caught the look too.
“You know we Sharpes are big on observation,” Barbra said casually, as she chopped up more cucumbers. “Especially when it comes to certain… sparks.”
I almost dropped the knife. “I—what—no sparks, there’s no—”
“Oh please,” Samantha cut in. “I saw the two of you at hide and seek. And earlier the way he was watching you while you passed him that soda?” She mimicked him dramatically. “‘Thanks…’” she said in a fake dreamy voice and fluttered her eyelashes.
I covered my face with my hands. “Stopppp.”
Barbra just chuckled. “We’re just teasing. But he’s a good boy. He’s been smiling more these days.”
Ron’s voice boomed from the grill. “Food’s almost ready! Where’s my veggie squad? Are we done back there?”
“Coming!” Barbra called, and Samantha picked up the big glass bowl of salad while I grabbed the tray of sliced watermelon.
As we walked over to the long table, I couldn’t help sneaking another glance at Connor. He was already looking at me. But this time, he didn’t look away.
He stood up, casually walked over, and took the watermelon tray from my hands. “Let me help,” he said with that easy, confident tone that always made my stomach twist in the best way.
“Thanks,” I said quietly, still feeling Samantha and Barbara’s eyes burning holes into my back.
We reached the table and set everything down as the smell of grilled perfection floated through the air. Everyone started gathering, plates in hand.
Ron dramatically clanged the tongs together. “Ladies and gentlemen… dinner is served!”
The next half hour was a blur of delicious food. Yumi and Laura got into a full-blown debate over whether ketchup belonged on hot dogs, Jake dropped a piece of chicken and blamed it on the “evil wind,” and Aidan managed to squirt barbecue sauce across the table and hit Samantha in the chest.
And through it all, Connor kept sneaking little glances at me.
After I finished eating, I stood up to bring my plate to the trash and felt a familiar presence behind me.
“Wanna go for a walk?” Connor asked softly, just for me to hear.
I turned around and met his eyes. “Sure.”
We slipped away from the crowd, our hands brushing as we walked down the path that led toward the tree line behind their backyard. I could hear the soft murmur of the others laughing behind us, but it felt far away now.
“So,” Connor said, nudging me gently. “They’ve all started teasing me.”
“Oh, you too?” I teased, nudging him back. “Barbara and Samantha basically called me out at the veggie table.”
Connor laughed, running a hand through his hair. “Honestly? I don’t mind. I like it. Us.”
That made me pause. The last few weeks felt like a fever dream of flirting, tension, near-kisses and playful moments until last night, when we kissed. And now this… felt right.
“I like it too,” I said quietly, looking down at our fingers slowly linking together.
He gently tugged me to a stop and looked at me with that gaze that made everything else blur out.
“You know I’ve liked you for a while, right?” he said. “It wasn’t just the games. Or the party. Or the beach. It’s… always been more.”
I felt like the world went still for a second.
“I know,” I whispered. “Me too.”
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