3.1

“I’m glad.”

“That one was a firecracker,” he said, nodding at El’s distant form, making slow progress through the parking lot. The fading sun was lighting her blond hair, making it gleam with glints of gold.

I faced him. “What do you mean?” My stomach turned over itself uncomfortably. “You didn’t, uh . . .”

“What? Here? No.” Chad’s eyes went a little misty and I knew he was picturing it. I kicked myself for putting the idea in his head. He shook his head and his gaze cleared. “Nah, she’s not my type. Too . . . I don’t know. Too something. Seemed kinda overeager, if you want the truth.”

“What do you mean?” Could a sweet girl like El really be interested in a guy who called himself ‘The Chadder’?

“I mean, I like a girl who’s into it, you know?” “But?”

“She asked for my digits. Like five minutes after meeting me.” He nodded like this proved some kind of point. “I’m a pretty serious catch, I know, but even a guy like me likes a little more foreplay than that.”

“Dancing at a wine festival