Then
“What do you need to show me?” Laiken stands in the center of the loft, her blue eyes waiting.
We went to the Fourth of July parade with the entire crew today, then spent the afternoon swimming at the tank.
I’ve watched Laiken Sheppard prance around this ranch for weeks, smiling and cheerful. Her beauty, added in with her pure heart, calls to me. I crave it. Maybe it’s because I neverhad much of it. My mom tries, but it’s hard to have a peaceful home when you have a man like my dad around. I find a peace I’ve found nowhere else when I’m in her presence, and I want more.
“You can see the fireworks from that back window. The ones from the Bernard place.”
“I love fireworks.” She beams.
She smiles wide and my chest feels tight.
She’s the only girl I’ve ever felt this way around. None of the girls back home catch my attention. They try.
“I know.” I point to the window. “Look.”
She spins, her red dress twirling with the movement, offering me a glance at her lean legs. This is the first time we’ve been alone. Just the two of us. No eyes close by.
Cooper had to give Kota a ride home and Ivy went to her room after she had a big fight with Brady. So it’s just me and Laiken. Finally.
“So pretty,” she whispers as the sparks of color fill the dark sky.
I walk up behind her. “Yeah, they are.” I hesitate but decide it’s now or never to shoot my shot. “Not as pretty as you, though.”
She glances over her shoulder, a smirk on her pink lips. “Parker Stillwater. Are you flirting with me?”
I bark out a laugh, a blush staining my cheeks. What kind of teenage boy blushes?
“I’m trying to,” I admit. “Is it working?”
“Maybe,” she murmurs.
We stand at the window, watching the fireworks light up the ranch until the very last spark dies. My hand is casually resting against my jeans, twitching at the need to hold her hand. I jolt when her soft skin brushes against mine, and she bravely laces our fingers together.
A breath of relief filters from my mouth, and I squeeze her hand in response.
“Let’s sit.” She ducks her head before yanking me toward the couch.
I follow, my chest proudly puffed out at the fact the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen is holding my hand. We drop onto the worn sofa, still hand in hand.
The silence is thick. Tension burning as we sit in the dark, wondering what happens next.
“Laiken?”
“Yeah.”
I turn my head, ready to confess something I’ve been holding onto for weeks. “I really want to kiss you.”
She meets my eyes, her own sparkling. “Then why haven’t you?”
“I’m only here for the summers.”
“So?”
“Well…”
“Do you plan on kissing anyone else while you’re here?” She lifts a copper brow.
