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Chapter 18
The sound of crickets filled the air as Alison and Troy strolled down Main Street, which would’ve been beautiful enough, but when combined with the muted sound of waves crashing on the beach two blocks away and the sensation of the warm summer breeze lightly ruffling her hair, it was just about paradise.
Alison glanced shyly over at Troy walking beside her; his eyes were fixed on his shoes and his hands were pushed firmly into his pockets. She breathed a sigh of relief. He was as nervous as she was.
She didn’t know what it was, but she felt like a teenager being walked home after a first date, nervous about whether or not she’d get a kiss goodnight. There was just something so nostalgic in the air. Something about this quaint town and the goodhearted people here that made her feel fresh, and young, and goodhearted herself. Everything jaded about her seemed to be falling away as the days passed by.
More and more, this place felt good and right. Like home. And, although it scared her to admit it to herself, so did Troy.
Just then, he glanced her way, and they locked eyes. Alison’s cheeks started to burn and a tingling numbness spread over her face as she looked into their endless depths. He smiled at her, and it wasn’t the oily “smooth operator” kind of smile that a guy might’ve used back in New York. It was a sincere expression of emotion. He was happy to be with her, and it couldn’t help but come out on his face.
She liked that. God, she’d needed that, and she hadn’t even known it.
“So, did you have fun?” he asked. His face was guileless and hopeful as he made the inquiry. He was so open about how much he wanted her to have enjoyed it. No game playing. Just honesty.
She melted a little inside.
Then, she actually had to tear her eyes away from his because she couldn’t handle the intensity. As much as she was enjoying Troy’s “realness,” she was also uncomfortable when it was a little bit too real.
Seeking to lighten the mood, she said, “So, um… I have to ask you something. And I want you to be honest.”
“Anything,” he said immediately.
With a sly smile, she teased, “So, just so we’re clear, is Mila spending the night with her friend tomorrow? Or not? Because I didn’t quite catch it.”
Troy burst out laughing. “You really had me going there. I thought this was going to be some serious talk.”
She nudged him with her elbow. “I had to pay you back for the Yoko comment! Did you think I was a crappy actress?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t know you were that good.”
As he said the words, he took her hand. It was such a simple gesture, but one that sent warmth flowing through her entire body and soul. Emotions welled up inside her, making her feel safe and content—like she was curled up in front of a fire while wrapped in a fuzzy buttery-soft chenille spread and she’d just taken a generous sip of a hot toddy.
She was glad she felt so safe; she needed that foundation of safety to muster up the courage for what she was about to do.
With her heart in her throat, she took the plunge. Her voice trembling only a little, she asked, “So, would you like to come over to my house for dinner tomorrow night? Since, you know, rumor has it that Mila will be at a friend’s house. That’s just what I’ve heard, anyway. Word on the street.”
He squeezed her hand. It sent tiny jolts skittering up her arm and sent her head spinning.
“Yes. I’d love to.”
“What?” she asked, her voice sounding zoned out and faraway. That hand squeeze had put her in her trance, and for the moment she couldn’t even remember what he was answering yes to.
“Yes, I’d love to come to dinner at your house. That is what you asked me, isn’t it?”
Her brain cleared itself and she was flustered with embarrassment at her moment of lust induced flightiness. “Oh. Right. Yes. Yes, of course.”
One look at his face, and the cocky smile dominating it, told her he knew exactly what had caused her to lose the thread of the conversation. And he was damn proud of himself for it.
She giggled as she reached across with the hand he wasn’t holding and swatted his shoulder. “Whatever! Be there at seven.”
She liked having to figure out slightly awkward ways of doing things with one hand because Troy was holding the other. She thought that she could get used to that pretty easily.
They turned off the Main Street and headed down the narrow, tree-lined street that, in half a mile, would reach the bluff cul-de-sac that her house sat on. Already, she felt the warning pangs of melancholy that told her she’d be saying goodbye to Troy soon.
But only until tomorrow, she reminded herself, and felt that warm glow that always enveloped her when she was with him reassert itself.
“Oh, and yes… I did have a good time tonight. A great time, actually.”
