How to Date a Nerd

Chapter 3 - I Think I Want To Marry Your Daughter

“I want to tell you something,” we both said in chorus.

Sarah gave me a shy smile. “You first.”

“Okay,” I cleared my throat, taking a deep breath. Seconds ticked. The words I practiced for about a thousand times (yeah, I practiced) got jumbled inside my head. I took a quick sip from my coffee cup and gulped. Hard. It scalded my throat.

“Leon, what do you want to tell me?” she said smiling. I wished she wouldn’t. It was a serious thing, what I had to tell her.

“Sarah,” I began. “I’m telling you this because I made a promise to not keep anything from you. And please, do me a favor and promise me you won’t freak out.”

Her forehead creased. “Leon, just say it. Y-you’re scaring me…”

I breathed out and squared my shoulders. “I’m supposed to have kissing scenes with Hayden Levine in the movie. I didn’t know it had to be like that. It was Moira’s idea to accept the part.” I felt my own forehead crumple involuntarily as I choked the words out. “If I do it, it’d be purely professional. But if you’re not comfortable with it, I’d totally ditch—“ I cut myself and took Sarah’s hand when I saw her reaction.

Sarah let out a sigh and managed a sad smile. “It’s purely professional,” she repeated, finally meeting my eyes.

“Purely professional.” I nodded grimly and waited for her reply. The silence was killing me. “Sarah… Please say something.”

Damn! I knew this was going to happen!

I dragged my chair beside her and gave her hand a squeeze, thinking of the worst case scenario, letting out a deep breath before an involuntary smile plastered on my face.

“W-what’s with the grin?” she asked flinching.

“Yeah… I’m not doing it,” my grin widened for some reason. Maybe it was the blush on Sarah’s cheeks. Maybe it was the thought that somehow, she might’ve been all bitter about the kissing scene with another girl.

“No. It’s okay, really,” she murmured in her most convincing way. But I wasn’t buying it. Whatever was going on inside her head, I wished I knew. “Seriously, Leon. It—it’s just a stupid kissing scene. Do… it.”

Sure. She was saying that. But the look on her face and her stuttering said otherwise. Curbing a smile, I shrugged. I’d already decided. I knew it was no use arguing with her so I dropped the subject.

“So, you want to tell me something?” I asked.

“Uh… that. I… I invited the guys over too…” she stuttered. That was it? I got the feeling that she was hiding something.

I nodded and glugged what remained of my coffee. It burned my mouth. Like hell. But I managed to sport a smile. My insides must’ve been bleeding now. She invited the guys meaning she invited Matt. Even if every strand of me wanted to refuse and throw a grand piano at his Camaro, Matt was still her friend. And whatever makes her happy, I’d gladly put up with.

Sarah was hyperventilating. If she didn’t calm down, I swear she’d faint soon and I’d have to carry her to the aisle on a wheelbarrow.

“You’re going to be fine,” I assured her, pulling her to my side as we stood in front of the chapel. “You should’ve remembered to put some superglue under your feet before you put on your high heels though. Just in case, you know...” I whispered on her ear, letting out a silent laugh.

With an annoyed grunt, Sarah gave me a nudge on the side, looking all red in the face. The people in front of us threw stares at me so I tried to hold the chuckles in.