The Only Boy Off Limits: Hallisburg Prep #3 by Lowry Emily

Author:Lowry, Emily
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eleventh Avenue Publishing Inc.
Published: 2022-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

18

AVERY

Downtown Hallisburg was one of my favorite places to hang out. I loved the narrow streets and the multicolored storefronts. The town was always buzzing with excited tourists and friendly locals, and the entire place held an infectious, low-key energy I loved. I thought I’d visited every single small business the town had to offer.

But I’d never been to The Yellow Yeti before.

It was tucked down a quiet alley at the other end of the main walking street from Betty Lou’s, Groovy Juice and Disco Sal’s. The alley was totally non-descript, and I could see why I’d missed it in the past.

“Ta-da!” Cruz said, holding open the door for me.

“Wow, what a gentleman,” I muttered as I stepped into the shop. After I’d made it to the top of the climbing wall without plummeting to my death, Cruz had suggested that we go and celebrate my success and also debrief on our experiment.

He’d also insisted on being the one to drive into Hallisburg, even though my car was parked by the dorms and his vehicle was over in the far lot at the edge of campus. Something about “valuing his life”.

Whatever that meant.

On the drive here, he bet me five bucks that he could take me somewhere I’d never been before that would fully satisfy my sweet tooth.

I laughed and shook on it, confident I’d win.

But one look at The Yellow Yeti, and my confidence was shaken.

The ice cream parlor had cozy booths and butter yellow walls with hand-painted murals of cartoon yetis in winter coats skiing down tree-lined, snow covered mountains, twirling on frozen lakes, and barreling down slopes on sleds. Behind the counter was a glass case of what looked like a million flavors.

It was pretty much perfect.

I surveyed the choices: Peanut Butter Brittle, Churro Crunch, S’Mores… the list was endless.

Cruz caught my expression and grinned.

“Best of all, they got Cereal Milk flavor.” Cruz opened his hand in a “mic drop” motion.

“Have to try it before you claim victory,” I insisted stubbornly, but I was smiling.

I greeted the server and ordered a double scoop of Cereal Milk on a dipped waffle cone, topped with Lucky Charm marshmallows and chocolate sauce. Cruz watched me intently as I gingerly took a lick.

“Mmm,” I groaned, closing my eyes as the cold sweetness hit my lips.

He laughed.

“Okay, you win,” I muttered.

“Of course I win.” Cruz’s reply was swift and teasing.

He accepted his overflowing cup of ice cream from the server: Oreo and Tiger mix with nuts and hot caramel on top. Because of course Cruz would choose the wackiest ice cream on the planet. He spoke to the server with a lopsided smirk on his lips, eyes dancing, and I let my gaze linger on the curl of brown hair above his ear, on the sharp 90-degree angle of his jawline, on the hint of stubble he’d missed shaving.

I stepped up to the counter to pay, and I dug a crumpled five out of my wallet. “Here’s your winnings. Don’t gloat too much.

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