Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It started like every other morning.
Bible studied. Real-life application considered. Prayers sent up. Same desk, same routine, same mug of that fancy coffee Levi bought me.
But then—
The brakes-screeching, gut-check feeling I always get when I pray about Sophie? Gone. I prayed the whole walk to breakfast and back, just to be sure. And every time it was the same. I got the green light. The green light. I get to go for it.
Finally! I’m amped!
And no more Leo—another confirmation.
Levi strides into our room as I’m pacing like a loon.
“Yo, Jeeves.”
Maybe Kit told him about my text. No—she’s still guarding my not-secret.
“Samwise. You’re peppy.”
“Sophie. Saturday’s the day.” Almost there. No more holding back. No more second-guessing.
“The day for … Oh.” He points toward me in focus, dropping his stuff on his desk without looking.
Lucky he read my mind, so I don’t have to get all sappy.
“Have some time to help me talk it out?”
“Absolutely. Now?”
“Now. I’m fixin’ to bounce off the walls, man.”
He lets out a laugh. He gets it more than anybody. “What’s different?”
“I got the green light. I prayed and prayed and … I just know.”
He pumps a controlled fist. “Why Saturday and not today?”
“I know—another six days is brutal, but I need time to plan something worthy. Our group field trip is the time. And also, I need to set myself up for success, lay a little groundwork.” I motion, as if he doesn’t know what groundwork is.
He lowers to his desk chair and grabs a new box of Tic Tacs out of his drawer, never taking his eyes off me. “And UT?”
“Now? Just a tragic backup plan.”
Clarity. Like a gift floating down with a parachute.
He studies me. “Alright. So this is it.” He rests his forearms on his knees, serious as a heart attack. “Let’s make sure she says yes.”
That flicker of relief in his eyes means more than he knows. Classic Levi—wants what God wants, but he’d rather have his friend than some football star.
I rub my palms together. Let’s go. Falling back into my pacing, I point at my desk, where a vase sits, borrowed from G2. “I’m gonna have flowers smuggled into her room Levi-dessert style, so when she wakes up after our first date, she already has a present from me.”
“Classy. And finally using The Game to send her a message?”
“That was always the plan. But now … I can’t do it. What if she needs to say no?” My gut clenches. “It’s too much pressure on her. I’ll get to that after. I gotta do this live. In person.”
“Great call, Samwise. Way to think about her side of it.”
“Thanks, buddy. So for Saturday, I need something adventurous.” I pause my pacing. “It’s Sophie, you know? She doesn’t want traditional. Something big. A surprise. Trouble is, she’s already done everything around Pinecrest.”
He nods thoughtfully. “We haven’t taken the crew to Portside yet. You know, Kit and I could go down with you another night if you don’t want to wait until Saturday. We could ward off suspicions and then get lost.”
“You would like to get lost with KitKat, wouldn’t you?”
“Without a doubt.” Levi always grins when he’s teased now. So freakishly happy.
“I’ll think on that. Thanks.”
“I recommend you decide specifics based on details only you know. Seal the deal with the more-than-friends thing.” He slaps his armrests, almost as jacked about this as I am. “She’s gonna cheer and clap like the monkey with cymbals, dude.”
“Oh man, I hope so. Okay, what does she like to eat?”
“Everything? She’s always up for eating. Why are you asking me?”
“I dunno what other people know about her.”
“Got it. Shoot.”
“Does she like to be fancy or casual?”
“Don’t know.”
“Does she like day or night better?”
“She hates mornings. Otherwise, no idea. You’re the Sophie expert. You’re gonna kill it.”
“’Preciate that, buddy. Oh, and, uh, does she know I like her?”
“Beyond oblivious.”
Oblivious, Sparky? Seriously? I hesitate before the next question. Whatever Levi says, I’ll have to live with it. “And … what are my odds?”
He exhales, slow and steady. “I like your chances.”
My chest tightens. I can’t let him be wrong.
“Okay, God,” I pray aloud, “if this is your thing, just keep me from messing it up.”
He chuckles. “Yes. That. And help him trust you with this.” To me, “Let me know if I should plan something for Kit and me as supporting roles.”
He wants in. What a sap. You and me both, buddy.
I text Sophie.
Saturday. Got an idea
Wanna come up with group costumes for us?
I know you were bummed about missing out on Halloween
Sophie
Are Levi and Haymitch actually down to dress up?
Yup
My friends are real ones to give Sophie carte blanche on this. Especially when they know her so well.
Yesssssssssssssss
I might go a little overboard.
I expect nothing less
You’re the best!!!!!
Let’s do CLUE!
Five more days.
“Does it fit? Come on, come on.”
“Hold your horses,” Kit says over a laugh. “I’m trying the other one.”
“Why is no one ready?” I say in my Miranda Priestly voice.
“By all means, move at a glacial pace.” She doesn’t miss a beat.
I stare at the dressing room door. Something’s different lately.
Maybe, once you hear someone’s voice singing to Jesus, you hear their laugh better too.
Or maybe it was my own singing. Maybe promising commitment to him in song makes it come true sooner.
Either way, I’ll be at Praise and Prayer again next week.
“Going to jewelry,” I call. “Still need some pearls for Mia’s costume.” I weave my way through the store to a table packed full of necklaces.
“Costume party?” A dude voice comes from behind me.
When I spin around, I’m greeted with a crooked smile. Cute stranger. My age maybe. Open face, easy confidence. A whiff of cologne drifts off him, and I’m not mad about it.
I lift the hanger to my shoulders and curtsy with the dress. “What gave me away? The bright-red velvet or the hilarious silver embellishments?”
He chuckles. “I heard you yelling about Miss Scarlett.”
“Mm. You’re a detective too.”
“As long as I’m not Mr. Boddy. I might oughta keep quiet about the candlesticks back there.” He points with his thumb.
Chuckling, I motion to his armful. “Find a treasure yourself?”
“Check this out.” He unfolds a vintage denim jacket.
I gasp. “Like the guy in The Breakfast Club. Or Marty McFly … but you’d need a vest. Or—wait, wait—Bruce Springsteen.”
“Oh, let’s go with the Boss.”
Ding.
It’s Kit.
“Miss Peacock is looking for me. Enjoy your jacket, Bruce!”
“Enjoy your party, Scarlett.”
I stride back toward the dressing room and flick a glance at the ceiling. Maybe when you smile at God, his world smiles back.
As if to confirm it, Kit rounds the corner in a feathered hat and a grin you could see from space.