Page 53

“If these are all supposed to be surprises, then you’re doing a poor job of keeping them secret.”
“Heywood!”
Charley jumps, then turns in the direction of Coach’s voice before running over to him.
I smile after her. A proper date. Tonight. Because on top of showing her how I feel, we’re making this official.
I pull my button-up on,deciding which button to start with, when my phone buzzes.
Charley: Pick me up at Kenna’s.
My slight frown is immediately replaced by a grin. Charley and Kenna hit it off. Bailey, too. They’re starting to call one another the OWC. Old Wives Club. Charley hesitates whenever they say it, but I don’t want her to. I want her to own it because I’ve never felt stronger for a girl in my life.
But the fact that something always comes up when I talk about her place makes me uneasy. Now they’re doing updates. Before, she’s told me that her room was a mess and she’d be embarrassed to let me see it that way. She’s also shown up at my room early, stating she just couldn’t wait to see me before I even had a chance to leave and pick her up. Also, I still don’t exactly know where she lives. The topic always gets changed or?—
Charley: I can’t wait to see you.
Her text puts me at ease, a little. I grab my phone and respond.
Me: See you soon. Work on your surprise face when I hand you flowers.
I don’t know why I’m concerned about this. I knew she was shy and withdrawn when I decided to pursue her. Nothing else is different. She’s evolved in so many other ways that this is a small blip. Barely a sticking point. We’ll get there.
I grab the flowers from my bed. Their rose perfume surrounds me in a decadent mix. The florist suggested I choose red, so that’s what I went with. I forgot to ask what Charley’s favorite flower was, but if I had to guess, she probably doesn’t have one.
On the drive to Kenna’s place, my heart beats fast despite myself. “Get a grip, Farmer,” I mumble. No girl has gotten under my skin this badly. I want to be under hers. I want her to long for me like I long for her. I want her to smile at me like I’m her world because she’s quickly become mine.
I check myself in the visor mirror before I get out and jog up to the front door. It opens before I get there. Black curls cascade to Charley’s shoulders. A splash of red across her lips and a deep, smoky eye greet me, and I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone so beautiful.
Kenna runs up behind her, smiling ruefully. “I told her you should come in, but she couldn’t wait to get to the door.”
I meet Charley’s gaze, and her eyes round, transfixed on me. Then, her stare drops to take me in, and mine do the same. A dark-blue dress hugs her body before flaring past her hips. The top shows off the barest hint of cleavage.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her.
“Kenna lent me the dress.”
“Don’t tell him that,” Kenna chastises. “You own that dress. You can have it.”
“I think she might be right.” I smile ruefully at my date before handing her the flowers.
She brings them to her face, inhaling deeply. “I’ve never gotten flowers before.”
“I didn’t know your favorite.”
“I’ll go with these,” she says, her eyes practically glowing. “They smell divine and they’re gorgeous.”
I point out the card in the middle, and she takes it out, biting her lip. “If Chuck Norris tells a joke about Will Smith’s wife, Will Smith will stand up and slap himself.” She can’t control the laughter that bubbles up. “That one’s good. I love it.”
“You two are too cute,” Kenna says. “Here’s your coat. I’ll take the flowers and put them in a vase. You can drop by and get them whenever.”
“Thanks, Kenna.”
She waves at me, lifting her shoulders and grinning excitedly when Charley steps out with her coat. I help her put it on and then place my arm around her waist while I walk her to the car to open the door for her.
“Full service?”
“Just want to make sure no one in this neighborhood is going to steal my date from me.”