Heat burns my cheeks at the confession and I am totally sure he’s going to slam on the brakes, turn around, and drop me off at home because dating a virgin loser like me is just too much for him.
Instead, he tilts his head and watches me with an expression I can’t quite place. “That makes me feel really special,” he says after a moment of long, awkward silence.
I smile, and he reaches over and grabs my knee, his hand warm and strong as he squeezes it affectionately. I put my hand on top of his, letting my fingers slide between his until we’re holding hands in this backward kind of way.
“We’re here,” Josh says a few minutes later.
“The beach?” I say, terror filling my veins. He told me to dress casual,notto wear a bathing suit. What if he wants to go swimming or something equally horrific?
“Kind of,” he says, pulling into a parking spot and cutting the engine. He wiggles his eyebrows at me in this goofy way because he knows something I don’t. “Let’s go.”
Josh pulls an ice chest and a backpack from the bed of his truck, and we walk toward a part of the beach I’ve never been to. It’s the private end of Blue Beach, where all the beach houses line up along the shore.
When we reach a metal gate separating the public from the private, he punches in a gate code and the metal bars swing open, allowing us access.
Josh leads me down the sand to a beautiful beach house in pastel blue. “This is my parent’s vacation house,” he explains as he unlocks another gate that leads to the house’s back yard, complete with private swimming pool that overlooks the beach.
I gasp as I take in the sight that he’s planned for us, my eyes instantly filling with tears. I blink a few times to make them go away. No need to cry in front of him on our first official date. The back patio is lit up with clear lights strung everywhere, making a canopy of sparkling beauty above us. Candles are lit on the table, which is set for two with gorgeous purple linen and a centerpiece of white roses.
“These are for you,” Josh says, gesturing to the flowers.
I lean forward and smell them, a grin lighting up my whole face. He pulls out one of the chairs for me, so I sit and try not to choke up at how sweet this whole thing is. Josh takes out the contents of his ice chest—dinner from an Italian restaurant and a bottle of wine, and sets up the meal for us.
“I figured since we met on the beach, our first date should be on the beach,” he explains as he sets out two wine glasses and pours the white wine. He grins. “I even brought a football if you want to seek revenge on me after dinner.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I say. “I think you’ve more than made up for that accident.”
We eat dinner, and even though I thought I’d never be able to eat in front of a guy, it’s not so bad, especially since we spend most of our time talking, laughing, and watching the sun set behind the gorgeous ocean view.
“This was really great,” I tell him after dinner, when we’re sitting at the edge of the pool, our feet splashing in the water.
“It’s not over yet.” Josh checks the time on his cell phone. “I have a surprise for you, and it should be here any minute.”
I lift an eyebrow, but he just grins and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
A few minutes later, the side gate opens and a thin girl with dirty blond hair lets herself in. I recognize her as Abigail, Josh’s little sister. She’s carrying an old fashioned picnic basket, the kind with a little wooden lid on hinges.
“Everything work out okay?” Josh asks as he rushes over to relieve her of the basket. I’m a little confused, because we already ate dinner.
Abigail waves at me over Josh’s shoulder. “Nice to meet you,” she says.
“You too,” I say back, but Josh shushes his sister.
“You have to go before the surprise is ruined,” he says, giving her a quick hug while he holds the basket out to the side. “But thanks, Abigail. I appreciate it.”
“Anything for love,” she says, throwing me a wink before she disappears through the gate.
“We already ate dinner,” I say, standing up and moving away from the pool’s edge.
“This isn’t dinner,” Josh says, his eyes filled with excitement.
“Then what is it?”
He holds the basket out to me. “It’s your surprise.”
