“We’ve been through a lot together, even when I tried to keep you at a distance. When my mom was going through chemo, some days were really rough. You’d come over to help distract Katie, but just your presence brought positivity and rays of light into the darkest corners of my mind.”
Butterflies erupt throughout my entire body. I love it. Griffin gives me a quick peck and then winks at me as he turns his attention back to the road.
“We’re almost there, Sunshine,” Griff says, squeezing my thigh as he exits the highway.
Well, shit. This man is giving me all the feels, and far too quickly.
5
June
It’s already eleven by the time we take the exit for Stillwater. I decided to take Kenna to lunch at Tilly’s, a little malt shop my mom used to love. I haven’t been there in years, but their burgers and shakes have always been my favorite.
I find a parking spot and turn off the engine. “Wait here,” I say to Kenna before I hop out and round the hood to open her door for her.
“Wow, you’re really taking the chivalry thing seriously,” she teases me as I help her out of the Jeep.
“I’m trying to hook you, Sunshine. I’ve got to pull out all the tricks. Ever been to Tilly’s?”
“No, but Katie told me about it the last time we were here. The line was down the block, so we ended up going somewhere else.”
“They’ve got the best burgers and shakes around, so that’s not surprising.”
I grab Kenna’s hand as we walk toward the restaurant, loving the way her hand fits in mine. We stop on the curb, waiting for the walk signal, and turn to take her in. She’s so effortlessly stunning in her jean shorts and white tank top, and her blonde hair flows down her back in loose waves that I can’t get enough of.
Kenna looks over at me, catching me ogling her. She quirks her brow and asks, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I feign innocence.
“Like, I don’t know”—she waves her hand up and down—“like that.”
“I’m just trying to figure out how I managed to get you to go out with me. You’re so clearly out of my league, Kenna.”
The words barely leave my lips before Kenna’s cheeks darken with a deep blush.
“Now I know you must be starving. You’re delirious, G.”
“I’m not. I mean, starving, yes. Delirious, no.” The light changes, and we cross the street.
“Do you want to eat inside or out on the patio?” I ask her as we approach the restaurant that sits on the corner of the block.
“I’ve never been inside, and I love that it’s a retro diner. Can we eat inside?”
“Of course.” I smile down at her as she claps her hands together in excitement. I love how expressive she is; she wears her feelings on her sleeve.
We walk inside and take a seat at one of the booths. I watch Kenna as she takes in all the old-fashioned paraphernalia that lines the walls.
“This place is great, I can see why you guys love it so much.”
Just then the waitress walks up and asks if she can get us started with any drinks. I don’t need to look at the menu, I get the same thing every time I’m here.
Kenna peeks up from her menu at me and says, “Can I take a guess at what you’re going to order?”
“Sure, but there’s no way you’ll get it right.”
“Challenge accepted.” She looks up at the waitress with a huge grin and says, “He’ll take an Oreo shake, please, and can we add peanut butter?”
“We?”
