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We say goodbye and arrange to meet up again for a one-on-one date tomorrow at the old ice cream parlor. We decide we want to relive all the things we loved to do during our childhood and see them with completely new eyes as adults. I quickly make a list of some of my favorite places we have visited, things we used to enjoy doing, and memories we have made together. I want to try to pack as much as I can into tomorrow. I set my alarms to make sure I get up bright and early to get a few supplies to ensure tomorrow is the best date Bella has ever had.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
NATHANIEL
It’s been a lifetime since we carved our names into the tree, but even after all these years, our names can still be seen. I can't help but smile because, after all these years, the trees are what brought us together, and they'll be here to see us reunite again. Hopefully, it's here, in our spot, where she'll officially agree to be my girlfriend.
I look at my watch and realize it's almost 7 a.m. I've spent the last hour making sure our spot is perfect. I head home, try to find some soft blankets and pillows to sit on later, and quickly throw them in the trunk of my car. Then I get in the shower and get dressed. I decide on a pair of jeans, a simple black top, and boots. When I come out, Gabe is standing in the kitchen, eating toast.
"I heard you sneak in earlier. Where were you?" asks Gabe, as he pours himself a cup of coffee and shakes the pot at me to ask me if I want one too.
"Yes, please, and I just went for a jog," I lie. I know I need to be honest and tell him about Bella. But eight on a Sunday morning, before either of us have had coffee and, more importantly, before my first official date with Bella, isn't the time for a potential argument.
"Jogging? At 7 a.m. on a Sunday?" Gabe questions suspiciously.
"Yeah, I need to stay fit if I don't want to lose my abs from all the junk food we eat," I say, pointing to the many takeout and fast-food boxes sitting on the kitchen counter.
"I suppose." Gabe shrugs. "Are you going somewhere?" he asks, looking over at me when he notices I'm now wearing jeans.
"Yeah, I'm going into town and then out for a bit. Why?"
"Fancy giving your big bro a lift into town, my bike’s still in the garage? I told John I’d help him with some paperwork," Gabe mentions, careful not to give too many details away. We both know Gabe does things for John that aren't exactly legal, but we stick to thedon't ask, don't tellrule when it comes to talking about it.
"Yeah, of course. I've got to leave in about thirty minutes. If that's any good for you?"
"Yeah, it's fine. I just have to change. You never told me where you got the wheels anyway?" Gabe mutters as he continues to shove toast into his mouth.
"From my friend Tucker..." I start but am interrupted.
"What? You stole it from him?" Gabe questions, surprised.
"No, I didn't steal it from him. Who do you take me for?" I snarl, defensively.What have I ever done to justify that accusation?!
"So this Tucker guy just gave you a car?" asks Gabe suspiciously.
"No. If you'd shut up long enough, I could tell you," I hiss. Gabe just looks at me and nods for me to continue. "Like I was trying to say before I was rudely interrupted," I state, giving him a pointed look. "My friend Tucker, well, actually his dad, wanted to sell his brother's old car. They had bought it to teach him how to drive, but when he went to college, he got a better car, so it sat in the garage, gathering dust. So his dad offered to sell it to me..."
"And where did you get the money?" interrupts Gabe again.
"Damn it Gabe! If you'd shut up long enough to hear the story, you'd know," I hiss again. "Like I said, his dad offered to let me buy the car. I'm paying in installments of only $100 a month. And before you ask, he's giving it to me so cheaply because he says he respects the fact that I don't drink and appreciates that his son will always have a safe ride home with me as the driver."
"Makes sense, I guess," he grunts, shrugging his shoulders. "I still think it's weird that you don't drink, though."
I just give him a look that he knows obviously means we're not talking about it anymore because he leaves the kitchen and goes straight to his room. I make myself another cup of coffee and try to find a jacket to wear. Gabe comes out and sees me going through my tiny closet. "What are you doing?" he questions as he stands at the door to my room.
"I'm looking for a jacket. I left my other one at Tucker's," I say with a grunt.
"Here, borrow this one; it doesn't fit me anyway," he offers, turning around and tossing me a black leather jacket. I try it on and am pleasantly surprised when I see that it fits and looks pretty good on me, even though it's not my usual style. "Thanks, bro." We walk to the car, and I drop him off at work just before nine. Then I drive straight to Bella's house to see my girl.
***
ISABELLA
The next morning, I wake up bright and early and set about getting everything we need for our adventure. I borrow an old picnic basket from the basement and fill it with sandwiches, chips, cheese, meats, cookies, fruit, and anything else I can find lying around the kitchen. I look for one of the big, soft gray blankets we can both sit on and a few other things I might need.
I spend a little too long trying to pick what to wear before choosing a simple dress. Nate arrives to pick me up just before nine, and we head out for our first official date. I'm nervous at first, but as soon as I see those big, blue eyes and his friendly grin, all my concerns melt away.
"Wow, you look beautiful as always," he purrs, eyeing my white dress, and I mentally reward myself for a good choice.
