Authors: Carolyn Keene

Don’t Look Twice (15 page)

She took a deep breath. “Ned, I want to talk to you about Denise.”

Ned's fork stopped on its way to his mouth. Nancy rushed on.

“I need to know what's going on with you two. She told me that she likes you, and I know that you like her.”

“Right. So?” Ned asked, lowering his fork to the plate. A startled expression was creeping over his face.

“So, I don't know where that puts me,” Nancy finally stated. She hung her head.

There was a long silence. Finally Ned's soft voice broke it.

“Oh, Nancy,” he said, taking her hand. “You should know that you mean the world to me. I like Denise. She's great. But she's just a friend. I
love
you and only you.”

“Really?” A smile crept across Nancy's face.

“Really and truly.” Ned tousled Nancy's hair. “Now, eat some of this dessertâunless you want me to polish off the whole thing.”

Ned really did love her! She had been foolish ever to have doubted him. Nancy could feel happy tears pool in her eyes, but she blinked them back.

“Not on your life, Nickerson,” she said, grabbing her own fork. “Not on your life!”

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.