Free When Its Least Expected by Heather Van Fleet Page B

misery
     she was
    digging herself deeper in. She sighed in defeat. There was no other way around this,
     especially when he sounded so sincere, so excited even.
    “I’ll tell you what,” she paused, flicking her finger nails together, struggling to
     keep her voice even as she spoke. “You can come over, but you’ve got to bring pizza,
     preferably
    pepperoni and jalapeños. No romance or horror movies. It’s got to be strictly comedies,
     and I require pop, lots of it. Oh, and make it chocolate ice cream with chocolate
     syrup.” She giggled at her own demands. His answering chuckle made her laughter erupt
     more.
    “Wow, little beast. You drive a hard bargain.”
    “Yup, I know what I like,” her voice went low and trailed off as her face immediately
    flushed at the double meaning in her words. She slapped a palm against her head. God,
     she was an idiot!
    He laughed low, and at his good hearted response she threw herself face first against
     the
    pillow. She was tempted to scream into it, in excitement, in frustration, she wasn’t
     sure. But instead, she just inhaled the scent of laundry detergent lingering against
     the sheets as she struggled not to suffocate herself.
    “I think I can help with your demands, little beast…” Now Mason was the one with the
    double meaning. When had their conversation turned from purely friendly to downright
     flirty?
    “Besides, I can paint a mean pedicure I’ve been told.”
    Harley’s stomach rolled with laughter, and before long, she was clutching her middle
     in
    pain. She hadn’t laughed like that in months. It sure as hell felt good too. She sighed
     in
    contentment as their joking ceased. She turned over to her back again, her legs twisting
     and untwisting in the sheets. Man, she’d be lucky if she fell asleep before her next
     birthday.
    “Harley?”
    “Yeah, Mase?” She cringed, not at all comfortable with the nickname thing yet, but
     it just
    sort of slipped out.
    “Thanks,” he offered up, his voice soft, wistful. “I mean for forgiving me and stuff.
     I was a jerk today. You didn’t have to agree to go to that dance with me or even forgive
     me, but you did. Believe me when I say that makes me super happy.” She smiled to herself
     as she brought her hand up to play with one of her mangy curls. “I haven’t had a friend
     in while, and you’re quite possibly the first girl who seconds as my friend…”
    Wow. He was going sensitive again. It was time to get off the phone.
    “No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
    You will not swoon … you will not swoon …
    “Good night, Harley. Sweet dreams.”
    “Yeah, um, bye, Mason.”
    She slid her finger over the end button, easing the phone onto her chest. This wasn’t
    happening. Dammit, she couldn’t like this guy.
    Yes you could, and no, you can’t deny that it.
    She groaned as she threw an arm over her eyes. Her biggest fears were coming true.
     And
    she’d totally just swooned over Mason Daniel.

Chapter Seven
    “I’m telling you, Mom, we are just friends.” Harley barked at her mother as she
    continued to flip through the same section of sweaters in her closet over and over.
     She’d been at it for over twenty minutes. The sad part was she had no idea what she
     was looking for. “I mean, he’s new in school, and his friendships are few and far
     between, so…”
    Her ever nosey mother snorted as she sidled up next to her. It was obvious the lady
     didn’t
    believe her by the telltale narrowing of her eyes. Harley glared back at her; the
     stare down was in place again. They’d be Olympic medalists if staring contests were
     a sport. Harley finally looked away though otherwise she’d truly believe what the
     woman was telling her. That this movie
    thing was more of a first date then just a couple of friends simply hanging out.
    Five minutes later a decision was made on the clothes, and the old black hoodie paired
    with her holiest pair of jeans was the winner. Big, baggy,