Mind Blind Sneak Peek: Sally Romance Overhaul

Because I can never leave anything well enough alone, here's a sneak peak of Sally's new optional romance scenes! (Chapter five now almost breaks 60,000 words, but we're going to ignore that to focus on smooches.)

Originally, I'd intended for Sally's romance to have three starting points: one in chapter five, one around chapter fourteen, and a "at long last we now both acknowledge the potential between us" ending.

The chapter 14 activation point didn't work out (there's been a lot less downtime with the ROs than I'd originally imagined, and honestly without the touch thing with Gray, it's a weird place to start a romance). I still plan on keeping the romantic interest acknowledgement ending, but I'm also striving to add more variability into how Sally's romance initiates in Chapter 5. There's several ways things can now start other than with a kiss, but I'm posting my personal favorite here. Mostly because I love the line about boys vs cookies.

(NB: this version of Button is the only one who doesn't yet realize that Sally has feelings for them. Ergo Nick reacting with slightly assholish amusement instead of proper concern.)

Anyway, I present, without further ado, specifically for those of you who want your wholesome friends-to-lovers trope with a side order of ultimately pointless angst:

Choice: “What are your feelings towards my brother?” I can’t take this any longer.

A confused crease forms between Sally’s auburn eyebrows. “I want Nicholas to wake up, of course.” She laughs. “The sooner he can make us snacks for movie night again, the better.”

“That’s not what I mean,” you say, refusing to fall for her deflection. “Back in junior high, I saw your sketchbook. You’d doodled his name inside a pink—”

Sally slaps her hands over your mouth, for all the good that does since Nick can read your thoughts.

[i]She drew our names in sparkly gel pen hearts?[/i] Your brother sounds more amused than concerned over your potential heartbreak. [i]Such prime ammunition. How did I never learn about this before?[/i]

How? Because you’d always done your damnedest not to think about her crush on him.

“I was thirteen,” Sally snaps. “I had great taste in cookies and awful taste in boys, and the two preferences got confused.” 

Her hazel eyes hold yours for a long moment before nervously looking down at her lap, a dark flush creeping up her freckled cheeks. “Trust me, I’ve moved on.”