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My friend. I give Mom a hug, thanking her and saying goodbye.
“Have fun, Kikki,” she says, waving me out the door.
I step off the front porch as Mom closes the door behind me. I try not to dwell on the fact she’s probably spying from the front window as I move down the footpath.
I smooth down my white sundress and summon the courage to glance over at Lewis’s front yard. After a substantial stomach flip, I turn my face.
The air drains out of my lungs as I view the empty yard. Standing curbside, I clutch my elbows and allow myself to pout. The only way I got through my anxiety-ridden night was by convincing myself I’d get one-on-one time with Lewis while we waited for Parker to show up.
It was a long shot, but something deep inside me said it was gonna happen.
As I wait, alone, I swing my body back to face my house. Maybe I should just go back inside and wait. Do I look totally desperate waiting outside? Will Parker tell me I did the wrong thing and I’ve actually turned Lewis off?
As I admit defeat and walk back toward the house, my ears prick to a door opening.
“Bye, Mom,” Lewis’s voice calls out.
I slowly backtrack to the curb.
Lewis emerges from his house and takes his porch steps two at a time. He hitches a backpack over his shoulder, and his gaze slides my way.
He smiles and puts his hand up in a wave.
My heart palpitates.
That’s at me.
He’s waving at me.
“Hey, Kylie,” he says, making his way toward me.
My knees buckle. Oh my gosh. He’s coming over here. Whoa. How am I gonna stay upright?
“Umm,” I stutter. “Hi, ah, umm, hi Lewis.”
“Ready for today?” he asks, searching the quiet street.
“Yeah, I’ve never hung out at Logan’s Point before.”
“Really?”
“No. I’ve traveled through the town on the way to the city, but my family’s never stopped there.”
“Well, we don’t go into the town,” Lewis replies. “It’s not the best. But just outside of the town has the best hiking trails, rock climbing spots, and the lake is great for rafting.”
The freaked out look hits my face before I can stop it. “Rafting?”
Lewis chuckles. “We’re not going near those spots today. We swim at this cove. There’s no fast currents, but there is a cool waterfall.”
My heart swells. “Wow.” I imagine Lewis and I standing under the waterfall, having our first kiss. As my toes curl in my shoes, my voice turns breathy. “I can’t wait to see that.”
As I break out of fantasyland, Lewis’s attention is back on the road. I shuffle weight between my feet and sink into the awkwardness.
How the heck do I jumpstart the conversation again?
Lewis pulls his phone from his pocket and it’s like I’m officially put on mute.
We stand a foot apart, in excruciating silence, for what feels like an eternity, until Lewis lowers his phone.
