Laney by Joann I. Martin Sowles

interest and up the stairs two at a time, hoping to run into him, but I didn’t. I didn’t care. He was back and I just knew I’d see him in the morning. My panties hadn’t scared him away after all.

    I realized then that a crush could make you behave like a fool—but I was okay with that.

Chapter 7 - Thursday Night Tortilla Incident

    Kiera wanted to make her famous cheese enchiladas, so I was on my way to the store to get tortillas. Of course, we had all but one ingredient. “Tortillas are rather important when making enchiladas,” Kiera had told me sarcastically.

    I turned right out of the apartment parking lot and onto University Boulevard which led past the university on the right and just a couple blocks farther down it led past Main Street on the left, in the center of town. Just a few blocks more and I’d find the closest grocery store on the left-hand side of the street.

    Excitement filled me knowing Oliver was back and that I’d get to see him soon. I couldn’t sit still. I was pretty sure I was getting on Kiera’s nerves and that was why she sent me to the store. I knew we had tortillas; Kiera never forgot to buy an ingredient. I didn’t care. It got me out of grating cheese. His car was still in the apartment parking lot when I left and that just boosted my excitement. I couldn’t wait to see his gorgeous smile and hear his beautiful voice. The next day couldn’t come soon enough!

    I wandered the aisles searching for tortillas. Kiera was the shopper and knew where everything was. I was the cart pusher. The store was bright and a little too cold; the music was sad and that made no sense to me. Did they think it would make people buy more food because they were prone to eating more when they felt sad? It just made me want to leave.

    An older woman in a hot pink, velour jogging suit and lipstick to match passed me just as I found the tortilla rack. I couldn’t help raising an eyebrow at her as I watched her pass by with her little lap dog in the top of the shopping cart. That couldn’t be sanitary.

    I was standing in front of what seemed like a hundred different kinds of tortillas, trying to figure out which ones to buy, when I heard a familiar “hello.” I spun around to meet a smiling Oliver with a regular ol’ Carter beside him. My heart rate picked up at the sight of him—Oliver, not Carter.

    “Hi,” I said, breathless from the surprise of him being there and because his beauty and dazzling smile could literally take my breath away.

    “Hey, Laney. What’s for dinner?” Carter chuckled.

    “Kiera’s making her famous cheese enchiladas.” I replied, noticing out of the corner of my eye that Oliver hadn’t taken his eyes off of me. “Would you guys like to join us?” Whoa! That just slipped out—but it was out there now. Please say “yes!” Please say “yes!”

    Carter’s eyes lit up. “I love Kiera’s enchiladas. Are you sure she won’t mind?” He was excited. Oliver winked at me. He did not tell Carter what I said about Kiera liking him, did he?

    “I’m sure she’d love to have you guys over.” I smiled nervously. If I was nervous, she was sure to freak. “ Give me a second to call her and see if we need anything else.”

    I pulled my cell out of the back pocket of my jeans and called Kiera. She was pretty excited about an evening with Carter (as was I about an evening with Oliver). As I listened to Kiera excitedly tell me we still only needed tortillas, I saw Oliver lean over close to Carter and quietly say something to him.

    I hung up. “Just tortillas, and she’s excited you’ll both be joining us.” I said with a suspicious look toward them. Oliver’s eyes were on me again, and that smile—tonight it was almost devious. Interesting. I hoped it had nothing to do with my underpants. Then again … Ugh!! There I go again!

    “Well,” Carter began, “Oliver claims he has already eaten, though I’ve never seen him do so.” He chuckled and Oliver