Page 61 of Falling Into You

“Why do I feel like you guys are about to break out into some kind ofWest Side Storynumber?” Jacob joked.

“What do you know aboutWest Side Story?” Maya asked.

“My sister Laura starred in it when she went here, so... pretty much every word of every song?” Jacob replied. Rory laughed and reached for his hand, entwining their fingers. At that moment Jacob felt like he could take on the Sharks and the Jetsandthe entire varsity cheer squad. Rory was holding his hand. By choice. He could do anything.

“We’re not letting you leave the dance until you tell us whether or not we’re going to regionals tomorrow,” Carlos said. He tipped his head back, trying to look tough, which he couldn’t quite pull off in a suit that looked like he’d outgrown it last year.

“Yeah, because if we’re not, then I could really use a sleep-in day,” Layla said.

“And I’m gonna go get a manicure,” Gwen added, holding her hand up and make a show of inspecting her fingers.“These nail beds are atrocious.” As far as Jacob could tell, her nails looked perfect.

Jacob looked at Rory. She tilted her head at him like,Yougo ahead.

“We’re going to regionals,” Jacob told the squad. “And we’re going to kick ass.”

Rory

After the dance, the rest of the squad and their dates went out to Nino’s for pizza, but Rory just wanted to be with Jacob. She told them all not to stay out too late, and Jacob drove her home in his truck, holding her hand between them on the long bench seat.

“You’re sure you don’t want pizza?” Jacob asked, coming to a stop at the traffic light closest to Rory’s house. “You know I get Nino’s for free. Also, I’m starving.”

“Me too, but I’ve got something better at home,” she replied.

The light turned green, and Jacob stepped on the gas. The truck lurched forward a couple of feet, then died. The car behind them honked as it careened around. Rory’s heart pounded a mile a minute.

“What happened?”

“Don’t worry. This happens all the time. Hang on.”

He turned the key in the ignition again, and there was a wheezing sound like the engine was trying to start, but nothing happened.

“Come on, Rosie. You’re embarrassing me in front of my date,” Jacob muttered, trying again.

Again, nothing.

“I’m sorry... Rosie?” Rory said with a smile. “Did you name your truck?”

“You’ve gotta name your truck. Otherwise how are you going to sweet-talk her?” Jacob asked.

“I am learning so much about you tonight,” Rory said, shaking her head and pulling her coat more tightly around herself.

“You could help, you know. Instead of mocking me,” Jacob said as another car whizzed past on their right.

“Help you how?” Rory had a vision of herself getting out of the truck in her heels, popping the hood, and staring at an engine she had no idea how to work.

“Say something nice to her!” Jacob said, like it was totally obvious.

Rory laughed. “Okay, fine.” She blew out a breath and gave herself a moment to gather her thoughts. “Rosie, it’s me, Rory,” she said loudly, for some reason looking up at the ceiling of the cab. “Jacob and I are both really hungry, so it would be super amazing if you would start now. Please? Thank you.”

Jacob smirked and turned the key again, and after awheeze and a sputter, the truck roared to life. He gave it some gas while still in park, making the engine growl a couple of times. Rory squealed in delight.

“It worked!”

“See? She likes you. Nice job.” Jacob squeezed Rory’s shoulder, and as soon as the light turned green again, they were off.

Back at the house, Rory warmed up the autumn quiche she had planned to indulge in by herself while watchingStranger Thingsover from the beginning. Owen was sleeping at a friend’s house, and her parents were, of course, not home yet, so she and Jacob decided to picnic in the living room and watch the first episode together. When she brought the steaming quiche in, Jacob had cleared off the coffee table and put out the plates and forks. He’d also propped up pillows against the front of the couch to make it comfier.

“That smells insane,” Jacob said.