“Don’t worry. It’s one of my favorite places. You’ll love it.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
As we drive through town, I sneak glances at Kash. He keeps one hand on the wheel, while the other rests on a center console. His hair is tied up, and I wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through it. He keeps it shaved on the sides, his constellation tattoos on display, but I bet the rest of it is soft. The tattoos that creep up his neck make me curious as to where else he has them on his body, and what they are. His body is like a walking work of art.
I feel his gaze swing to me, and I quickly look away.Busted. Maybe he doesn’t know I was checking him out.
“If you look at me like that again,friend, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Mhmm... sure you don’t. That’s why I can see the red stain on your cheeks from here.”
“You cannot,” I huff out.
“Oh, Sunshine, you have no idea what I see.”
Not knowing how to respond, I sit quietly until we reach our destination. “Where are we?”
“Mom’s house.”
My head whips toward him. “What?” I shout. He took me to meet his mom? Is he nuts? I already know Emma from Atlas’ party, but I can’t meet her again likethis. Kash starts to laugh at my meltdown, so I reach across and smack him. “It’s not funny!”
“Sure it is, Sunshine. You think I’m bringing you to meet my mom—which, don’t worry, you will eventually—but she’s not home. We have the place to ourselves. Come on.” Climbing out like he didn’t just drop a bomb, I watch him walk around to my side of the car.
Unease slithers through me, and I quickly lock the car doors. When he gets to my side, he tries to open it. His head snaps up when he realizes it’s locked.
Tilting his head, his normally light eyes seem to darken. “If you want to play games, Mila, we can play games, but don’t start something you aren’t ready for. Unlock the door, Sweetheart.”
Ignoring the flare of heat that goes through me at the first part of his statement, I pin him with a glare. “Can I trust you?”
“I guess you’ll have to decide that for yourself.” He steps back from the SUV, as if he’s implying I have a choice. I could always take his car and leave him here, but I have to admit, I’m curious. He wouldn’t do anything too crazy. Cora is dating his friend, and Kash isn’tthatguy. Unlocking the door, I climb out.
“Sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for, pretty girl. Never apologize for protecting yourself. Now, let’s go. I have the perfect spot set up.” He grabs my hand and pulls me behind him.
Walking around the side of the house, he leads me to a large backyard. On one side, there’s a picnic table and fire pit close by each other. On the other is a large hammock that looks big enough for three people.
Following my eyes, he points toward the hammock. “Surprise, Mila.”
“Umm, thanks?”
“I have to grab a few things. I’ll be right back.” He turns away, leaving me in the backyard. What the hell is going on? Pulling out my phone, I see only an hour has passed since I was sitting on my couch, thinking I was in for the night, and now I’m standing in Kash’s mom’s backyard in the freezing cold. How is this my life?
A branch snapping makes me jump, but when I hear Kash’s chuckle, I settle.
“You afraid of the dark, Sunshine?” he asks, his hands full of the blankets he snagged from my apartment and a thermos.
“Of course not. Do you want help with those?” I point toward his arms.
“Nah. I got this. Come on.”
As he walks toward the hammock, I dutifully follow behind him. “So, what’s my surprise?” I can’t think of anything that would make sense. He hasn’t offered much about why we’re out here in the lateNovember night.
He lays a blanket over the hammock, sets the thermos on the ground, then turns to me, rubbing his hands together. He looks almost villain-like. “Did you know that tonight is the best night to see the Kappa Ursae Majoris meteor shower? Usually, you only see about one an hour, but I figured we could see if we can spot more.”
Air seizes in my chest as I try to formulate a response. This is too romantic for friends. “Um, Kash—” I start before he cuts me off.
