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As Rowan hopped out of the orphanage van that hot summer day in jean shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals that didn’t giveanybodya free show, Gage’s eyes locked on her from twenty feet away.
The smile fell off his face. He went still, and she felt an almost predator vibe from where he stood across the gravel drive.
Like any teenage girl without a clue about such things, a blushing Rowan kept herself busy helping Miss Jeffries and Gage’s mother setting up the food tables.
Hours later, the object of her quiet and probably far too vanilla fantasies appeared in front of her. She placed a couple of slices of watermelon on a plate and held it out.
“Rowan.”
“H-hi, Gage.”
His eyes flicked down and up again as he took the plate of watermelon. “Happy Fourth.”
Clearing her throat nervously, she responded, “Same to you.”
“You lookin’ forward to the fireworks?”
“Oh, yes. Every year.”
“I’ll save you a seat. Next to me.” She was unable to form a coherent reply. Gage winked at her and turned to walk away. “See ya later, Rowan. Thanks for the watermelon.”
After dark, she was laughing with her best friend Nina when a hand took hers unexpectedly and led Rowan to the edge of the field where all the guests sat on blankets and in lawn chairs.
Gage tugged her down beside him on the grass. “This spot is perfect.” He was close enough for her to feel his body heat. “You smell good, Rowan.”
“Uh, j-just soap.”
“Hmm. You wear it well.”
“I, uh, thank you…”
“Do I make you nervous, Rowan?”
Inhaling deeply, she turned and crisscrossed her legs. Folding her hands in her lap, she stared at the good-looking youngest son of a family who would never worry about money, what they stood for, where they’d come from, or where they were going.
“Honestly? Yes, Gage. You make me nervous. You know a lot more about women than I know about men.”
“Well, I…”
“I wasn’t done. This is the first time you’ve been home since Christmas but you’re not the first person to notice my updated bra size.” She sighed. “I get it. Honestly, I do. I’m an easy mark and potential fun for the summer. Then you’ll go back to school and forget I exist.”
“You think so?” he asked softly.
“Yeah.” She glanced at her twined fingers. “I wouldn’t even mind, to tell you the truth. It’s how I figured things would go with a boy.” Meeting his gaze, she shook her head. “I’m seventeen, Gage. You’re twenty-one. Not such a big deal for the guy but...I have concerns. I don’t want to get derailed.”
“So many big thoughts.” He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Your birthday is in June?” Surprised he remembered, she nodded. “Next year, when I’m done with college, you’ll be done with high school. You’ll be eighteen soon after.”
Confused, she prompted, “And…?”
“Be my girl. Let me be the first man to touch you.” Her eyes widened and a hot blush moved over her skin. “I know you better than you think I do. Let me show you how big a deal you are to me, Rowan.”
Tilting her head, she asked with a frown, “Be your...girl?”
Leaning close, he stared deeply into her eyes for a long moment. “Be my girl, Rowan. Over the next year, I’ll wait for you.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Somethin’ really amazin’ is worth waitin’ for, sweetheart.”
