Chapter Four

Kate

 

Sam looked at me like I had a system, but I wasn’t at the park that much. Merely enough to know some trends. Bonus for us—it was still early and most local kids were in school this week, limiting the crowds.

Yet it was still summer, and tourists came from all over the world year-round.

So…to hurry all the way across the park to It’s A Small World, or ride in Fantasyland on the way? I knew Sam wasn’t eager for kid rides. He was just…accommodating.

Easy-going.

At least with me.

And right now, today, I needed to chill. This was supposed to be nothing but fun! A last indulgence to be carefree before the responsibilities of jobs and college kicked in.

I paused. “You know what? I forgot what we’re here for. I’m not trying to maximize Dad’s dime. We’re here to be big kids. I’m sorry I was trying to run you around to everything before the noon check-in.”

Sam grinned. It made me gooey inside like always. “I didn’t mind.” He offered his arm and we resumed walking, this time at a strolling pace. “We only have two months left, so I’ll take my Kate time any way I get it.”

My Kate.

“’Kate time’ comes in multiple flavors?”

“Over being friends for years? Yeah.”

My lips shifted sideways. “I don’t know how to take that.”

He laughed. “Should I say layers instead?” Then he leaned my way. “But they’re all good, don’t worry. I wouldn’t be best friends with just anyone.”

“So I’m a discerned taste? I think you’re hungry.”

“Always.”

We stopped at the nearest churro cart and he was faster to hand over a $5. My purse this school year had been a mini-backpack, so I couldn’t reach my wallet like he accessed his pocket.

He wore blue denim shorts with a white polo tee that had the school sports logo embroidered on the left breast spot. The teams wore the shirt for official photos and events.

He also had one just like it for ASB, too.

My junior high choir had done the same as a ‘uniform’ for off-campus performances. Uniquely, both schools shared the same school colors, so I got more than two years’ worth.

Being BFFs-Sam-and-Kate here became easy once I relaxed and we made ride choices together—except for the moments where a ride put us in the dark.

Suddenly, I’d be aware I was in a car alone with him, sitting close, smelling his clean Sam-ness, and my pulse would pound.

Why couldn’t I feel that for anyone I was supposed to date?