Best Enemies (Canterwood Crest) Read Online Free PDF Page B

spring air, just glad to be out of the theater.
    “I thought I wanted to see a movie,” I said. “But I really just wanted to talk to you!”
    “Me too. I’m glad you wanted to leave.”
    We walked down the well-lit sidewalk and stoppedin front of the Sweet Shoppe—the campus’s delicious café/bakery. I loved the sign with typewriter font that hung over the doorway.
    “I have to run in here to get something,” Eric said. “It’s a surprise.”
    “A surprise?” I asked.
    “Yeah. There’s somewhere I want to take you after this.”
    I looked at his face—his eyes were sparkling even in the weak streetlamp light.
    “I love surprises.”
    Eric squeezed my hand and released it. “Be right back.”
    He hurried into the Sweet Shoppe and I watched through the window, staring into the cozy shop. At a table near the back Julia and Alison sat together. They had a notebook in front of them and were scribbling things onto the paper, then whispering. When a sixth grader walked by, Julia moved her arm over the paper. I looked away from Julia and Alison when Eric exited the Sweet Shoppe carrying two big bags.
    “Can I carry one?” I offered.
    “I’ve got it,” he said. “Interested in knowing where we’re going?”
    “Um, let me think.” I paused, pretending to consider it. “Yes! Tell me!”
    Eric laughed. I followed him down the sidewalk and away from the Sweet Shoppe.
    “I thought we could have a picnic where we met.”
    “The stable,” I said. “
Eric
. That’s a great idea.”
    He smiled. “I had a feeling you’d like it.”
    We walked in comfortable silence to the stable. The lights had been dimmed and no one else was here.
    “Are we allowed to be here?” I asked.
    “I asked Mr. Conner yesterday,” Eric said. “He’s around here somewhere. He’ll probably jump out from behind a hay bale if I try to kiss you.” Eric whispered the last sentence.
    I laughed. “He totally would.”
    “Let’s go up to the hayloft,” Eric said.
    I followed him down the aisle. I went up the wooden ladder and reached the platform and… gasped at what I saw.
    A tiny round table had been set up in the loft. The floor had been swept clean of hay. A battery-powered lantern added light to the space and a giant purple orchid blossomed in a vase on the table.
    “How did you… ?” I couldn’t finish my sentence.
    “Mike and Doug,” Eric said. “I told them I wanted to bring you here and they offered to bring the table and chairs up.”
    “Wow,” I whispered. “That was so nice.”
    Eric put the Sweet Shoppe bags on the table and took my hand, leading me to the table. He pulled out my chair for me and I took my seat. The table was so tiny that our knees touched underneath.
    Eric opened one white bag and took out two milkshakes— one chocolate and one chocolate-vanilla swirl. “I don’t have to ask what one you want,” he said, sliding the chocolate shake toward me.
    “You know me too well.” I accepted the chocolate shake and took a sip. Mmmm.
    Eric opened the second bag and took out a wrapped foam plate. “New brownie recipe,” he said. “I saw them put up the sign yesterday and knew you’d want to try it.”
    I stared hungrily at the brownies. “It’s sad. I’ve eaten my weight in candy, but I’m dying for that brownie!”
    Eric gave me a plate, fork, and napkin. “Here’s the ‘new’ part,” he said, reaching into the bag. He pulled out a little plastic container and opened it.
    “Oh. My. God. Hot fudge,” I said.
    “Yep. To pour on the brownies.”
    I put a brownie on my plate and Eric did the same with his. “Go ahead,” I said, motioning to him to use the fudge first. He drizzled it on his brownie and passed it to me. I poured way more onto mine, causing Eric to laugh.
    We started eating and I closed my eyes. “Yum,” I said. “This is the best. I love it.”
    I looked across the table at Eric—he was gazing at me.
    “What?” I asked.
    He scooted his chair around so he was