Chapter 11
We sit on a bench at the end of the boardwalk. It’s far away from the few remaining people out here, and tucked under the glow of the last street lamp, it feels romantic. The ocean crashes to shore and then falls back, the sounds of the water and the seagulls flying above reminding me of summer. It also reminds me of being a kid and playing on this beach when I didn’t have a care in the world.
Gavin’s arm is across the back of the bench, and I lean back, letting my back press against the slats. As if on instinct, his arm tucks closer to me, his fingers curving around my shoulder. The touch sends a shiver down to my toes. All I’d have to do is lean a little to the left and I’d be snuggled against his chest.
I take a quick breath and gaze out at the ocean and remind myself of one thing:First date. First date. First date.
I keep wanting to take it further. To cuddle and hold his hand again and, well, even the thought of this sends a ball of heat into my belly, but I want to kiss him.
Gavin is nothing like that cocky jerk who had his feet on my chair that first day of school. He’s sweet and attentive. He pays attention when I talk, his blue eyes focused just on me. He’s not like Shawn, who would gaze off and look at other things, only half listening to anything I had to say.
He’s not like Shawn in a lot of ways.
“You seem very deep in thought,” Gavin says after a moment.
I shrug. “Just enjoying the beach.”
“You sure?” His eyes peer down into mine, his eyebrows raised a bit in concern. “You’ve gotten extra quiet.”
“I’m fine,” I say, smiling so he knows I mean it. “We’ve pretty much talked ourselves out tonight, don’t you think? You might know me better than my own best friend knows me.”
That’s not exactly true. While I’ve shared many things with Gavin tonight, I haven’t told him about my greenhouse and what it means to me. Part of me wants to tell him, to let him know how important it is that I find who ruined it. Maybe if he knew the truth, he’d go face-to-face with his own team mates until they told him. But I can’t bring myself to say anything. It’s just too close to my heart. It’s too raw right now.
I only briefly mentioned that my Grandpa was mostly blind when he picked me up at my house. I didn’t tell him it only just now happened and that we’re struggling to learn how to live with a blind family member. I haven’t told him about my grandma and her greenhouse. We’ve talked all night about silly things, but nothing that really matters. But this is a first date, so we’re not supposed to get too deep. Maybe one day, if he still likes me after tonight, he’ll get to learn all those things about me.
“Do you think we talked too much?” Gavin asks as his fingers trace circles on my shoulder. I wish he’d move his hand down, slide it around my waist, or entwine his fingers into mine.
“No,” I say playfully. “I like taking to you. I’ve liked this whole night.”
He grins like I’ve just complimented him. “Me too. I’m not sure what speed to take this but—I just can’t stop talking. I don’t want to take time getting to know you, I want to know you immediately.”
He breathes in deeply and then lets it out. “Does that make sense? Am I insane?”
Now I’m the one grinning. “No, I get it. Why haven’t we ever met before now?”
“Probably because you were too busy to notice that kick ass soccer player with the great hair.”
I elbow him in the ribs. “Yeah, right. You were probably too busy dating all kinds of hot girls to notice me.”
“There’s a massive flaw in your logic,” he says. He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear, even though the wind from the beach will just knock it out again in a few minutes. “If I was dating hot girls, then I would have already dated you. So…flawed logic.”
I snort. “Coming on strong with the compliments, eh?”
He squeezes me closer to his chest. “I’ve got better ones than that.”
I roll my eyes and look away, suddenly feeling very embarrassed. Unfortunately, that only encourages him.
“Let’s see… You are definitely the hottest girl in the school.”
“Lies!” I say.
He talks over me, “You’ve got eyes the color of honey and I just want to look into them all damn night. You smell like a fucking angel. Also—yeah, that,” he says, nodding at me. “That smile. It’s adorable.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, holding up my hands. “You’ve proven that you can sling around some compliments. I don’t need to hear anymore.”
“They’re all true,” he says. “And trust me, I could still go on.”
I fold my arms over my chest and give him a disbelieving look. “All of those compliments could have been used on any girl. Don’t ruin this awesome night by busting out your Casanova moves on me. Just be yourself.”
