Page 30 of What Started In Deception

He puffed out a breath, surprised by just how heavy it was. “Is the grocery store in here?”

She laughed. “No. Or mostly no. I wasn’t sure what you would want, so I made us a little bit of everything.”

He fought the bag onto his shoulder. “It feels like it.”

She smiled. “Turkey subs are okay?”

“Yeah, that sounds great.”

“I packed us paper plates and plasticware for the green salad. And there’s fruit. Plus, the popcorn, gummy bears, and chocolate.”

He chuckled. “It sounds like we won’t be hungry.”

She shrugged. “We’ll be there for a while, so…”

He tossed her a wink, loving that she seemed much more relaxed. Getting together for dinner last night had definitely been the right move. “I appreciate the effort.”

She lifted the smaller cooler that held their drinks. “No problem. We should get going, though. The good spots fill up fast.”

They stepped out into the garage.

“Do you want to take the truck?”

Lydia nodded. “Sure.”

“Let’s do it.” He hit the button to close the garage door on the way out, then put the stuff in the back seat, trying to remember the last time he’d done something so normal. And with a gorgeous woman by his side. Maybe not since high school. Getting in as Lydia did, they both buckled up.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Definitely,” he said as he started the truck. “We’re about to watch The Goonies. Who doesn’t love a little truffle shuffle?”

She laughed as he backed out.

He chuckled as he accelerated, immediately taking a left at the end of her road when he saw his chance to go, liking that Lydia sat in the passenger seat. As company went, he couldn’t complain. “So, what are we thinking about for parking?”

“Uh, maybe in the church parking lot a little farther up the street. That way we won’t get caught in the worst of the traffic.”

“I like it.” Minutes later, he pulled into the large lot, taking one of the few remaining spots. “Clearly, you weren’t the only one to think of this.”

She shook her head. “Movie in the Park is a big hit in Oliver Heights. There will be a few hundred people here tonight.”

“It’s a great idea.”

“It is.” She got out.

He got out, too, settling the cooler bag on his shoulder again, then grabbed the blanket and pillows, tucking them under his arm as Lydia snagged the drinks on her side.

He met her at the back of the truck, ready to take the next step in their “relationship.” It was tempting to wait since things were going well, but their time crunch and need to get this right didn’t allow them the opportunity to adjust slowly. “So, how do you feel about holding hands?”

Her brow furrowed as she looked at him. “Why?”

“Because you need to get comfortable with me touching you and vice versa.”

Her frown deepened. “What does that mean?”

“Holding my hand, sharing affection. We need to have some level of intimacy. We’re supposed to be lovers. Lovers touch each other, especially in a new relationship. New couples can’t keep their hands off each other.”

She stared at him for several seconds before she looked at the blacktop.