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He shifted away then, facing the dark lake before them, and she could sense a change in the air between them.
“What is it?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. It’s getting late, and I still have to drive you home.”
“I don’t want this night to end.”
“Neither do I.” He turned to her again. “But we do have to work in the morning.”
“We could play hooky.” She giggled.
“I wouldn’t object to that.”
“Maybe a visit to Captain Sundae.”
“Maybe.” He slipped an arm around her back and pulled her into his side.
Genevieve gazed up at the night sky. “I love when the sky is clear. You can see so many stars when you’re away from the city like this.” She lay back on the blanket and tugged on his arm until he joined her. “I wonder if we’ll see any shooting stars.”
“What would you wish for?” he asked as he slipped his fingers through hers.
“If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches,” she replied with a laugh. “That’s what my daddy used to say, anyway.”
His grip on her hand loosened a little, and once again, Kurtis seemed to withdraw at something she’d said. She wished she knew him better and understood his tells, but they weren’t there yet.
Yet was such a hopeful word. This had truly been the best date she’d ever been on, and thinking there was more to come, more to look forward to, things they hadn’t gotten to yet, filled her with an abundance of joy. So much that she felt like jumping up and dancing, or maybe just kissing him again.
She let go of his hand and rolled onto her side, propping her head up with her hand, and looked down at him. He remained on his back, lit only by the moonlight, and he was perhaps the most beautiful man she had ever seen.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, as if he had stolen her thoughts. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, causing goosebumps to travel over every inch of her skin in anticipation of what might come next.
She leaned into his hand and closed her eyes, prepared for another breathtaking kiss.
“What the?” He suddenly dropped his hand and sat up.
Her eyes flew open, and she turned to see where his attention had gone.
“Nobody was supposed to be here tonight.” His eyes were fixed on the beach house above, now glowing with what appeared to be every light in the place.
“Should we go up there?”
“I think I should.”
She followed him up the stairs to the landing of the deck.
“Can you wait out here for a minute, and I’ll see what’s going on?” he asked.
“Sure. We’re not going to get into trouble for being here are we?”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “We won’t. I just want to check on the house and make sure everything’s okay.”
“Sure thing.”
She watched as he disappeared into the house. She thought she heard voices from where she stood. She moved along under the cover of shadow, venturing closer to the door, hoping to hear what was happening.
There was movement within, and she suddenly spotted a familiar face.
Sebastian.