“And what?” I scowl.
Saylor flashes me a guilty smile and holds up her cast. “You’ll have to drive.”
8
Saylor
I watch Heaven as her eyes pop wide. Have I lost my mind? Yes. But we’re in the thick of it now. I can’t give up, if only to save the small shred of sanity and dignity I have left.
“So you want to crash my summer plans and you want me to drive you around?”
“Yes and no. I do want to crash your summer plans. Sorry, but that’s the truth. I don’t want you to drive me around, like that, but if we go somewhere, you’ll have to drive. I’m not allowed to. Doctor’s orders.”
“Like I said, I have to somehow develop a whole new personality and mega levels of confidence to even start my assignment for Miss Kell—for Mrs.Yeun. I would like to tackle that embarrassing process on my own. So, have some more water and then I guess I’ll drive you home.”
I roll my eyes and put my good hand on my hip. “You think I can’t teach you confidence?”
Heaven lets out a big sigh and hops up onto one of the high stools at the island. I’m about to keep pleading my case when I hear a weird jingling noise. I turn around and see this big gray dog toddling over, and then I see anotherone trailing behind it. The first one ignores me and goes right over to Heaven and shoves her nose under her hand.
“Are you cool with dogs?” Heaven asks.
“I love dogs. My dad won’t let us have one. Are they friendly?” I ask. The second dog is sniffing my fingers now. I try to hold still.
“Yeah, they’re big babies. Hold on.” Heaven gets up and leaves the kitchen. Both dogs jog after her. A few seconds later the three of them are back.
“Hold out your hand,” she tells me, then she drops a few dog treats in my upturned palm. The dogs follow the treats and come right over to me. “Okay, tell them to sit.”
“Sit,” I say, and both dogs drop their bottoms to the floor. It’s pretty impressive.
“Now give them each a treat.”
“What are their names?” I ask, giving them each the little heart-shaped biscuits in my hand.
“Fergie has the green collar and Di has the purple. My mom’s prized Weimaraners.”
“They’re so pretty.” I carefully scratch Fergie’s ear, and she turns her head to lick my palm.
“They are. Bed, girls,” Heaven says, and like magic, they both trot back into the living room. I know it won’t work, but I might have to try begging my dad for a dog again.
“Okay. So I like your dogs. Your dogs like me. If you let me do the bingo with you, I’ll do my best not to get on your nerves. In the meantime, I help you build up your confidenceandcreate all your social media accounts. I mean,people charge thousands of dollars for that kind of stuff. It’ll just cost you quality time with me.”
I flash her a big smile even though my heart is beating in my throat. I never thought I’d be having a real conversation with Heaven, let alone sitting in her kitchen, begging her to let me into her life. I have to ignore the fact that she’s even cuter when she’s annoyed.
“You’re not gonna let this go, are you?” She sighs again.
“Please. I was supposed to be away all summer. I cannot spend the summer making story times with my mom. I will lose it.”
“Oh god,” she groans, but I can’t help but smile even wider.
“I promise I won’t annoy you. I mean, more than I already have.”
“Fine,” she says. “But you gotta be cool, Saylor. I swear. I am really nervous about this whole social platform thing. I don’t need you making it worse.”
“That part is easy. I’m serious. I will help you with that. Heck, I can pretty much do it for you if you give me a little time to figure outexactlywhat Mrs.Yeun wants you to do. I got you.”
“Whatever. Do you wanna see what’s on the bingo board? You might change your mind if you see all the stuff we have to do. It’s meant to keep me busy. We won’t be sitting around here all summer.”
“That’s what I want. Show me.” I move and sit at the island next to her as she pulls out her phone. She slides it overto me and my brain finally catches up with all the impulsive decisions I’ve made in the last hour. I look at adorable words splashed across the top of the bingo board and think about how her dad made it for her. It’s so cute. Everything seems easy enough. A visit to the museum, read a couple books, LEGO bricks, an ice cream taste test, a science experiment. It’s all fun and adorable.