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“Depoe Bay?” she asked, turning toward me once she saw the welcome sign.
“Yeah, my dad lives here, and you’ve never seen the whales.”
“We’re visiting your dad?” Madeline pinched her eyebrows.
She had met my dad at graduation and a few times after that, always being polite and pleasant with him, but I got the vibe that now was not the time to introduce to her to my old pops as my new girlfriend…if that's what she even wanted to consider herself. I chuckled and shook my head.
“Oh, no…” I pulled off to the side of the boardwalk and popped the truck in park. “Leave your books here. I promise you they will be fine.”
Madeline scoffed and gave me the biggest eye roll ever. I gave her a slanted grin and cocked my head.
“Ice cream. Come on.” I finally let go of her hand and wiggled my eyebrows at her before jumping out of the truck, running around the front to open her door for her before she could. “Then the beach. Make sure you have your jacket. It can get a little chilly.”
Madeline grinned and grabbed her jacket, hopping out of the truck, instantly reaching for my hand again once we were both on the sidewalk.
I could definitely get used to this.
Chapter Fifteen
-Madeline-
This was not the kind of date I was expecting. Dates were fancy restaurants, roller rinks and movies. At least, that's what I always thought dates were. Milo had taken what I would have loved in every aspect of the day, and turned it into the perfect first date. First the bookstore, allowing me to pick any book, and then proceeding to buy me a first edition ofInterview with the Vampire,which since Anne Rice’s death has gone up in price, but he didn't complain. Then the waffle truck…my absolutely favorite food truck in the world.
The road trip was perfect in every way. Holding his hand was a simple, intimate gesture that took us beyond friendship. Just holding his hand. Every time his thumb rubbed against the top of my hand, I felt the warmth travel up my arm and into my throat. I tried to keep focused on my book, or the scenery passing, but that wasn’t happening. Maybe Milo wouldn’t notice that I hadn’t turned from page fourteen in thirty minutes.
I knew his dad lived in Depoe Bay, and I had been here once without Milo, but it was a simple drive through on the way to the California coast—nothing like Milo had planned. He led me to a small ice cream parlor where we both ordered vanilla with Reese’s in a waffle bowl and then enjoyed it on a small iron table on the boardwalk.
The weather was getting chilly, just like Milo had predicted, and I suddenly wished I had a heavier coat than just my light jean jacket. As we ate, the roads began to get heavier with traffic. People would park their cars on the edge of the street, exiting their cars in nice suits and dresses. I furrowed my brow and watched them all walk to an easy-up tent on the cliff side.
“What’s going on over there?” I asked.
Milo hummed. “No idea, but damn; that's a lot of people.” He watched as they walked to the coast with as much confusion as I did.
Another car pulled up, a black SUV that almost seemed to glisten in the sunlight. The back door opened, and a groom stepped out, reaching his hand out, and a bride in a white dress stepped out.
“Ah.” Milo raised his chin. “Either they are getting married, or it’s their reception.”
I smiled as the newlywed couple passed us. “Congratulations,” I called to them, waving my hand.
The bride glowed and waved her bouquet my way. “Thank you!” she called.
I watched as they made it to the event. They got small as they approached all the tables and people that waited for them, cheering as they entered the crowd. The tent suddenly lit up with small twinkling lights, and a band that I didn’t notice before began playing light music.
I turned to Milo and grinned. “We get to listen to free music.”
Milo wasn’t looking at the party. His eyes were locked on me. Once our eyes meet, his lips formed a crooked grin.
“The whales.” He motioned his head to the coast. “You need to see them.”
He stood, grabbing our empty ice cream bowls and reached out for my hand. I took it, something that seemed to be natural now, and followed him closer to the coast, closer to the wedding party and the soft music. I watched our feet as we took each step, our strides in unison. His black Converse stood out against the green grass, whereas my flats blended in. I could feel the grass against the tops of my feet, the tickle it created. The closer we got to the coast, the more the wind picked up, the more my hair began to get out of control.
“I wish you would have mentioned the coast, I would have brought a hair tie,” I mentioned, bringing my eyes back up to look at him.
“Nah, you’re gorgeous even when your hair is an absolute mess.” He turned to face me, keeping his hand in mine, walking backward.
Milo’s hand in mine was firm and warm, holding me still in the moment. Seeing him in a different way was something I didn’t think I would ever get used to. The way his eyes created small crow’s feet as he smiled, the small tug on his lips, his defined jawline leading down to his neck.His blonde hair flew in the harsh wind of the coast, his cheeks were red with the chill of the air, but his blue eyes still stood out over everything. He was almost intoxicating.
My heart began to beat faster, and I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks.
