Page 29 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

“Ugh, could we not?”

“No, we’re gonna. I hate to see you upset, always have. Yesterday was no exception. And I can’t fix everything in this world, but this, this I can. No, not fix. Because you don’t need fixing, Brenna. Change, that’s a better word. This I can change.”

“Milo, you don’t have to do this.”

“Bren,” he whispers, squeezing my hand. “This isn’t about have to, this is about want to. I want to take you. I want to show you what it’s like to experience a second date. And in order for there to be a second, there has to be a first. So, what d’ya say? Go out with me Friday night?”

My heart soars. Milo Hayes wants to take me on a date. How does a girl say no to that?

She doesn’t. That’s how.

I let my smile loose, a giggle escaping with it. I can’t help it. Because I’m giddy.

“I’d love to.”

“Good.”

He squeezes my hand again, keeping the small gap between us. Looking down at me, his blue eyes sparkle, upping my giddiness.

“Can I ask where we’re going?”

“You can ask.” He smirks. “But I’m not gonna tell you. It’s a surprise.”

Oh boy…

His smirk grows and he starts to lean in. My whole body is on high alert, calling out to the universe, trying to manifest something out of thin air. It’s not too much to also want a kiss, right? I mean, I did just get asked out.

Milo continues to lean, and I’m starting to think the universe might be listening to me.

At least until my phone goes off.

“Shut Up and Dance” blares through the air, causing both Milo and me to jump. He doesn’t let go of my hand though, a fact I’m all too aware of as I try to step back. It causes me to pause, locking eyes with him again. The song continues, and I silently curse it, praying for it to end. I can call her back.

“You should probably get that,” Milo tells me.

“I can call her back later. We play phone tag all the time.”

“No, answer it. Tell her about your first day and all the times Mr. Hovland tried to guilt you into staying. Dinner will be ready in twenty.”

One more wink and he drops my hand, my heart going with it. I nod though, agreeing that I need to talk to Mell. I do have a lot to tell her. Although maybe not everything.

No, definitely not everything.

Because not everything needs to be shared.

10

MILO

I’m not going to lie. I’m more than a little concerned we’re going to be the youngest people here. By a long shot.

Because this could end up being a really bad idea.

I couldn’t resist though. It was just too perfect. Kismet, really.

Pulling into the parking lot of The Rustic, a local farm to table restaurant over in Tifton, my nerves ease a little as I survey the parking lot, seeing mostly new model cars and trucks. There are a couple of stereotypical grandpa-mobiles, but they are certainly the minority. A very good sign.

“The Rustic,” Brenna says, looking up at the large, hand-painted sign on the old Victorian home they converted into an eatery. “It’s adorable.”