Dr.Campbell comes around the island and shakes my hand. “Saylor, I’d like to formally welcome you to the team.The summer bingo challenge is a serious undertaking, and I appreciate your professional approach.”
“I’m just happy to be on the team. Otherwise, I’d just be sitting on my couch all summer pouting,” I say, nodding toward my busted arm.
“I think this is a much better use of your time.” He turns to Heaven then and gives her a high five. “Princess Heaven. Good job. You should show this to Miss Kelly.”
“I will,” Heaven replies. She swallows like she’s nervous, but I don’t know what she’s worried about. We worked together and knocked the first square out of the park, and we both looked extremely cute while doing it.
“I don’t know if my mom told you, but she’s making T-shirts,” I tell her parents.
“Please tell her we both need one,” Dr.Campbell replies.
“I will.”
“Good job, girls,” Dr.G says. “Saylor, do you want to stay for dinner?”
I can feel Heaven starting to sway a little bit beside me, like she’s trying not to look in my direction, and I feel like that’s my cue to go. I mean, I’d sleep over or maybe move in if Dr.G and Dr.Campbell would let me, but I’ve heard a few things about introverts. Heaven’s social battery is probably in the negative. I could hang out with her all day and all night, but I should probably give her a break, some space away from me.
“I should go home. I know my mom is dying for an update.”
“Well, she’s gonna love this. Heaven, make sure you send it to Saylor,” her dad says.
“I will. I can drive you home,” she replies.
“Okay,” I say, suddenly feeling shy. This crush is not going away. I say goodbye to Heaven’s parents as we head out to the garage and climb into her car. I wait until we’re down the street before I start gloating a little. “So.”
“So?” Heaven says, glancing over at me.
“Your dad seemed pretty happy.”
“No, you were right. Parents do love a presentation.”
“We got this in the bag. Are you gonna set up your account tonight?” I ask her.
She groans like I just asked if she was going to run naked down the halls of our school during Spirit Week. “Yeah, I probably should.”
“It’ll be fine, and you can message me or FaceTime if you get stuck. I’m here to help. That’s part of our deal,” I tell her.
“ ’Kay.” She’s quiet then, and I remember what I already told myself. I keep my mouth shut until we pull up at my house. My mom’s car is in the driveway, so I have to be ready for her full line of questioning the second I walk in the door. But I’m not ready to go inside just yet.
“Today was fun,” I say, looking over at Heaven. She’s rubbing her hands along the bottom of the steering wheel.
“It was. Very productive. You gonna survive a whole night around your mom?” she asks.
“Yeah, she’s at her most dangerous in the morning and around school pickup. She loses steam as the sun goes down.”
“So you’re safe.” Heaven laughs. I smile and nod, and then I glance back at our front door. There’s no reason for me to be in this car anymore. We had our mission for theday, and we went for extra credit. Heaven didn’t push me out of her bedroom window. I need to take the W and get out of her face before I say something to ruin it. Something likeI think I love you, marry me!
I turn back to her and laugh at the way she’s looking at me, lips pursed, her head cocked to the side like she too is waiting for me to get out.
“I’m going.” I chuckle.
Heaven shrugs. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Next stop museum?”
“Yup. I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay.” I finally undo my seat belt and grab my bag off the floor between my feet. “I won’t kiss you this time.”