Page 78 of With Stars in Her Eyes

“All out of that.” Courtney played with the loose hair at the base of my neck.

Holy hell that feels good.

“Where are we going?” I wasn’t sure how long I could hold out against the sultry tone in Courtney’s voice or her light kneading on my neck.

I settled on an almost truth. “To the sea.”

“You do know we’re in Kansas right now, and we both have the book fair on Sunday.”

“Don’t you worry about that.”

Courtney touched my lips. “Also remember my thing about boats?”

I pretended to bite her fingers. “I don’t like boats either, so you’re in luck. I’m also resigned to keeping my feet on land permanently.”

“Then where are we—”

“Courtney Starling, goddamn it will you just let me woo you?”

Courtney fell silent. I kept my eyes on the road, unsure if I wanted to risk a glance at her.

“I’ve never been wooed before. I’m not sure I deserve to be wooed after kissing you, then crying and then disappearing.”

A smile re-formed on my face. “Well then, baby, I’m going to need to take your woo-ginity.”

Courtney poked a finger in one of my dimples. “Did you just say woo-ginity?”

“I’m really wishing I hadn’t.” I gripped the steering wheel harder.

Courtney exploded with laughter and then took a long slurp of her drink. “You also called me baby.”

“The heavier Alabama comes out sometimes.” I muttered the words. This plan was seeming sillier. It had now occurred to me that I could have simply pushed Courtney inside her house and made out with her rather than hauling her onto a road trip. “Especially when I’m frustrated. Also, I kissed you first.”

“Not how I remember it.” Courtney adjusted her seat belt and leaned onto my shoulder.

God, that feels nice.

She touched my elbow. “So you’re frustrated how, exactly?”

I was driving one-handed as I often did on these long, straight stretches of road. My right elbow rested on the console. A hand still chilled from holding the Slurpee slid over my arm to rest palm to palm. Our fingers intertwined.

“So people really just do this.” Courtney’s thumb moved back and forth over my knuckle.

“Go on an impromptu trip on a Friday afternoon?”

“I mean, yes. But I meant… just meet and… share sandwiches, soup, and a curated selection of bodice rippers in a bookstore, and…”

“Oh… that. I guess so…”

Attention drawn by the stereo, Courtney reached her unoccupied hand forward. “I like this. Bluegrassy? Cool voice.”

“She’s one of my favorites.”

“Is that the type of music you listen to? Bluegrass or country? We haven’t talked about that yet.”

“I listen to everything, but I was raised on bluegrass and classical. My grandfather’s favorites. He died several years ago around this time of year, so I get nostalgic. I like a lot of different stuff. I go through cycles and have my comfort listens. You?”

“This shouldn’t shock you, but I wasraisedon old-school gospel and cheesy Christian stuff. Literally wasn’t allowed to listen to anything else.”