How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You by Tara Eglington

Author:Tara Eglington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2013-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

There is No Romance Between Us!

‘I was beginning to think you’d never get home,’ Hayden greeted me. ‘Though that entrance was worth the wait. I haven’t seen that many bikers all together in a long while.’

‘Hayden, what are you doing here?’ All I wanted was to have a bath.

‘Valentine’s Day, of course.’

Hayden drew three heart-shaped red helium balloons from behind his back. My jaw dropped. Hayden Paris, on my doorstep, bearing heart-shaped balloons? This day was getting even crazier.

Hayden stood there, a smile spreading over his face. ‘Well?’

‘Is this a joke, Paris?’

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. All my rational thoughts had been knocked flat by this turn of events.

Hayden straightened the ribbon on one of the balloons. ‘Well, as you said in English class this morning, everyone deserves a day of love, so I thought the balloons might cheer up Snookums’s and Bebe’s day. I checked with the pet store to ensure they’re made out of cat-friendly material.’

Any moment now, Ashton Kutcher was going to leap out of the bushes and tell me that I’d been ‘punk’d’.

‘The third balloon is for you,’ Hayden continued in a rush. ‘Happy Valentine’s Day.’

‘Happy Valentine’s Day,’ I repeated dumbly, looking into his hazel eyes. Their expression was both amused and oddly nervous. ‘I’m … I’m sure Snookums and Bebe will be ecstatic.’

All of a sudden I didn’t know what to say. I just kept staring from the balloons to Hayden’s sincere face to the balloons again.

‘So, should I hand these over to you?’ Hayden asked.

‘No,’ I said, finally finding my voice. ‘Do you want to come in? That way you can give them to Snookums and Bebe yourself.’

Hayden stepped away from the door. I struggled with the key, my fingers shaking. What was wrong with me? I finally got the door open and stumbled slightly as I stepped inside. Hayden took my arm to steady me.

‘That’s an impressive bouquet, Princess.’

‘Oh, I know.’

It was nice to see a boy appreciate flowers. Just like Wordsworth would have. What was I saying? Instead of writing about nature, Hayden wrote odes to himself.

‘It takes my breath away every time I look at it,’ I added.

‘So who’s it from?’ Hayden examined the rainbow rose.

‘Someone absolutely amazing,’ I replied. ‘That’s all I know. It was anonymous.’

Hayden lifted his gaze from the rose to me. His eyes were twinkling. Was he laughing at me? Or at my admirer? I’d kick his butt if he was laughing at my admirer.

‘I have a feeling Snookums and Bebe will be in here,’ I announced, leading Hayden through to the lounge. ‘The pet store brought them another Valentine’s gift this morning.’

Sure enough, Snookums and Bebe were clambering over the cat climbing frame I’d bought them. It was in the shape of a tree, with scratchy imitation-bark branches and sleeping platforms shaped like elephant-ear palms.

‘Hey, babies!’ I dropped to my knees to give them a scratch. ‘Someone’s brought you a new treat!’

‘Hi, guys.’ Hayden dropped down beside me and gave Snookums a rub under the chin.

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