Page 74 of Picking Daisies on Sundays

“Dani.” I followed his footwork.

“Hm.”

“What’s wrong? I’ll take care of it.” I tried not to tighten my grip on his shoulder as I almost tripped forward.

What wasn’t wrong? (1) I was so close to him that all I could think about were his hands, (2) I wished my fake boyfriend was my real boyfriend and (3) Lazaro hasn’t called, or emailed, or mailed, or anything.

“I haven’t heard from Lazaro.”

“You submitted the application? You finished the essay?” I stepped backwards and then to the left.

“I did, over the weekend actually, I forgot to tell you. And now it’s been six days and nothing, no response. They’re ghosting me.”

Levi laughed at my attempt to humor the situation. “They’re not ghosting you. These things just take time.” Forward and to the right.

“Hm,” I muttered. But I could already imagine the rejection letter in my head. I could’ve written it for Lazaro at this point.We are sorry to tell you that you have not been picked for our program. Your designs are basic and lack personality, and you’d be better off never designing a piece of clothing again—

“Hey,” Levi interjected, forcing my attention away from our feet and to his face with the movement of his thumb on my back. Goosebumps made a home of my spine.

His eyes appeared so brown then, so dark. Like the sand of a beach after it rained or the color of coffee after it was brewed. A shade that mimicked the darkness of his hair.

“I can see what’s happening in that head of yours. I know we haven’t seen each other in a long time, but I haven’t forgotten, and I won’t let you think another cruel thing about yourself. You areincredible. They would be absolutely senseless not to want you.”

A silence passed between us.

“Dani, say it.”

“Say what?”

“Say you’re incredible.”

I laughed with a sound that came all the way from my belly. “Pfff, not happening.”

“Say it or I’ll do something that’ll make the bird instructor come over and embarrass us.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

I groaned. “…I’m incredible.” I said it in a monotone voice, obviously.

“That was pathetic.”

“Thank you very much, I accept tips in the form of bread and flowers.”

“Again.”

I rolled my eyes. “I get to pick the movie tomorrow night,” I tried bargaining with him.

“That’s a battle you’ll have to fight with Rhea over there.”

“Well, I need some incentive here.”

“You know, the instructor is getting pretty close to us, maybe I should ask her about the bird—”

“Fine,fine. I am…incredible. God, that was painful.”

“Such a punk.”