“Imagine being me, this is crazy,” I mumbled against him.
“You’re killing me, Princess.”
His thumb grazed my cheek as we kissed again, before we ambled towards my house.
“Thanks for walking me home, Cal.”
Our hands untwined, our fingers dragging along one another until we parted fully.
He waited at the end of the drive until I blew him a kiss from the front door, closing it behind me.
I leaned against the door and breathed in the delicious smell of beef casserole.
“Mm, something smells good,” I declared, dropping my bag on the stairs before I walked into the kitchen.
My Mom stood over the stove, stirring a large pot. She looked up at me with a wide smile, wiping her hands on a towel as she turned to me.
“Hey, stranger! I feel like I barely see you these days. Where have you been?”
I’m convinced she will take one look at me and justknowwhat I’ve been doing, but she waited patiently for me to answer. She picked up a spoon and tested the food, before adding more salt.
“I’ve been with Cal, studying, remember?’’
Please believe me.
Mom put down the spoon, looking over at me with interest. “So, this Cal...” She raised her eyebrows, wanting me to elaborate.
I couldn’t stop smiling before I gushed like a love-struck canary.
“He’s nice, Mom, he’s new in town. They don’t live far from us.”
She nodded before speaking quietly. “I see. Does thisCalhave anything to do with you falling out of love with Luke?”
I flushed beneath her gaze and stared at the floor guiltily. “Um, maybe a little...” my voice trailed off as she wiped the kitchen sides down, frowning at me.
“Are we going to get to meet him?”
I rolled my eyes and headed towards the stairs, calling out behind me dismissively. “Yeah, I’m not sure when though. I’m just going to shower.”
I grinned to myself, pulling my phone out to find a text from Rosie.
ROSIE:
The Rink, tomorrow night, girls ONLY.
GRETCHEN:
Yes, thank you! Just what I need. Hope you are okay—lots to tell you... ;)
ROSIE:
OMG—you didn’t!
I laughed to myself, skipping into the bathroom to have a shower.
***
Cal met me for school the next morning, and I couldn’t help but beam at him when I saw him leaning against his car waiting for me.
