AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I realized I’d been so lost in my thoughts I hadn’t spoken for a little bit. “I was actually just thinking about how at home I feel here.”
“I know,” she agreed, looking around. “It’s not flashy, but it’s comfy. We’ll have to come here next time I’m in town.”
I raised my eyebrows, surprised and more than a little pleased about her plans for the future. “You want to meet up next time you’re here?”
Kiyana smiled, nudging my foot under the table. “Why wouldn’t I?”
I looked down at the table for a moment, afraid of messing up my best and only relationship. “My three sisters always talked about college like it’s this fun time to explore and figure out who you are. I wouldn’t want to take that from you.”
When I built up the courage to meet her eyes, she was smiling gently. “Xi, you’ve taught me more about myself and given me more adventure in twenty-four hours than I’ve had in eighteen years.” Her foot nudged mine again, sending tingles up my leg. “I don’t want to lose the opportunity to find out what this could be.”
My smile was so big, I must have looked like a cartoon character. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Actually...” She reached into her purse and got out an envelope, passing it to me. I opened it, seeing tickets to the Indigo Girls, along with fifty dollars. “I was hoping I could take you to the concert. If you’re interested.”
I grinned, looking at the date of the concert and imprinting it on my heart. “I’d love to go with you!”
“Good.” She gave a satisfied smile, then took a bite of her chicken salad sandwich, letting out a little moan. “It’s so good.”
My food was delicious too, but I was pretty sure anything would taste sweet with all these butterflies dancing in my stomach, lapping up every moment.
We stayed at the table, eating our food, drinking lemonade, savoring every bite of cupcake and every moment we had together. But eventually our time, this whirlwind weekend, had to come to an end.
We walked outside to her car, putting off the inevitable goodbye. I thought of the tickets in my purse, remembering it was really just a “see you later.”
She held both of my hands in hers, looking from our linked fingers to my eyes. “I don’t feel like thank you is enough, Xi.”
“Don’t thank me,” I replied, wishing the best day of my summer wasn’t coming to an end already. “You’re amazing, Kiyana. You would have figured it out without me.”
“But it’s better with you.” She cupped my cheek and pressed her lips to mine. I loved the way she tasted, like sugar and mint and possibilities. She drew back far too soon and said, “Call me, okay?”
I nodded, stepping back so she could get in her car. She sat down and shut the door, the punctuation mark on a whirlwind romance I never expected or even knew I could hope for.
And then she backed out, giving me a final flutter of her fingers before driving away.
I held back tears as her vehicle disappeared around a corner and I walked back to my car. Wiping at my eyes, I got in and pulled out the concert tickets. They were a promise of what was to come.
And then my phone began ringing over the car speakers. I looked to the radio screen and smiled.
Incoming call from Kiyana.
As I answered her call, I knew one thing for sure. This wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning.
* * *
