Page 111 of All of You

Tell your mom you’re going to Lyra’s for NYE and sleeping over. I’ll pick you up at eight.

I furrow my brow at the unexpected message, glancing up to find Gramps watching me from across the room.

“Um, there’s a last-minute plan at Lyra’s for tonight, and I’ll be staying over. Is it okay if I go? " I announce, trying to sound casual as I relay the information to Mom and Gramps.

Mom looks up, a hint of concern in her eyes. “Is everything okay?”

I nod, doing my best to reassure her. “Yeah, it’s just a spontaneous get-together. Don’t worry, we’ll be safe.”

Gramps chuckles, “Ah, New Year’s Eve shenanigans. Who else is going?”

I shrug trying to think fast. “Just Lyra and me and she said maybe a couple of the swim team girls.”

With their hesitant approval, I send a quick confirmation to Langdon.

Done. See you at eight.

As I eat dinner with Mom and Gramps, my mind buzzes with curiosity about this impromptu plan. The prospect of spending New Year’s Eve with Langdon brings a mix of excitement and a rush of adrenaline. I wet my lips at the fluttery sensation in my belly.

Fifty Five

Langdon

The winter night is crisp and clear, and I can see Delia waiting at the end of the driveway. She’s bundled up against the chill in the air and greets me with a grin, and as she hops into the passenger seat. Every nerve ending in my body seems to stir and tingle. I’ve been obsessively scheming to make tonight happen for the last twenty-four hours.

She tosses her overnight bag on the footwell and climbs into the truck.

“So what are we doing?” Delia asks leaning over to kiss me.

My skin flushes at the feel of her lips on mine. So soft and warm. I firmly pull her to me, desperate to feel more of her. She giggles. The sound makes my heart pound even harder.

“So glad you asked,” I murmur, our lips still grazing each other’s. “I figured out a way for us to be alone together. Allnight.” Her tiny gasp of approval makes me lightheaded. I pull back and stare at her.

“How?” She asks.

“It’s a surprise. Just trust me.”

Her eyes lock onto mine, and the trust I find in them makes my heart swell. “I do,” she replies, her voice a gentle affirmation.

We pull up to the cabin in record time. Delia’s eyes go wide as she realizes where we are. I kill the engine, hop out and round the front of the truck to open her door. The small drive isn’t plowed and the snow’s shin-deep.

“I promise I’ll get a fire going quick.”

She grabs her bag as I get mine and we head into the cabin together. There’s no electricity turned on so I had to set up nearly fifty candles all around for light but the warm glow they cast as we walk in definitely sets the mood. I scrubbed and cleaned as much as I could so it wasn’t dusty and full of cobwebs.

“This is amazing,” she exclaims, her breath visible in the chilly air. I smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction that my plan has paid off.

As I work on the fire, the crackling sound soon fills the air, and the warmth begins to spread. Delia, wrapped in a cozy blanket I borrowed from my mom’s collection, watches with appreciation.

“You’ve really outdone yourself,” she says, her eyes sparkling.

We settle in on a long-forgotten plush rug, that I found in my basement, in front of the fireplace, the flames casting a mesmerizing dance of light and shadows. The cozy ambiance of the cabin, combined with the gentle crackling of the fire, creates exactly the vibe I was going for.

“No little brothers or parents to interrupt.”

Delia gives me a playful smirk, “How will we ever pass the time? Did you bring any games? Drinks? Food?”

“Shit. Yeah,” I laugh out and pop up to my feet. “I left the bag in the truck. Hang on,” I say while tugging my boots back on and making a mad dash to the truck for the forgotten bag.