A chuckle rumbles out, and he reels me in, cupping his hands behind my lower back. I lay my head against his chest, and I feel him kiss my hair. How is it possible that I feel so comfortable with someone I’ve only known for a short time?
I make a mental note to call Brittany and apologize because I repeatedly told her that insta-love romance novels were ridiculous and unrealistic. I’ll admit it. I was wrong. I see now that the amount of time you know someone doesn’t equal how deep your feelings can be for them.
We turn and walk back toward our towels and boards. Leo drapes his arm over my shoulder, and I feel immense happiness radiating through every fiber of my being.
When we catch each other's eye, we both smile. After reaching the parking lot, Leo helps me load my board. It hits me that I don’t know where Leo’s vehicle is. “Do you want a ride back to your place?”
“Nah, I only live about a block away.”
“Oh, okay.” I don’t know what else to say, but I don’t want to leave.
He reaches out his arms and wraps me in a hug. “Can I take you out for dinner tonight?”
“Like a date?”
“Exactly. Will you go on a date with me, Chloe?”
“I would love that.”
His lips graze my cheek, and I feel a wide grin return to my face.
When he pulls back, I immediately miss his closeness. “Thank you again for being willing to take Benjamin to hang out with his friends.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll pick you up around six?”
I nod and smile.
He slowly backs away and then spins to grab his board propped up against the wooden railing.
Heat is radiating from my face. I’m not sure if I’m beaming out of pure happiness or if it’s the inevitable sunburn I’m developing from being outside more than ten minutes.
I have to put on a poker face so that Aunt Val doesn’t get her hopes up. She’ll be planning our wedding if I let on that I’m smitten. Best to keep expectations low.
I definitely can’t let on that Leo just gave me the best kiss of my life…also known as the only kiss of my life. Unless you count when Joe Logan dared Jeff Bennet to kiss me during a junior high boy/girl party. I don’t count it. I closed my eyes thinking it would be romantic. Instead, it was sloppy and disappointing.
Nothing about my kiss with Leo was either of those things. I don’t have any words… they probably don’t exist in the English language. Like how Greek has three words for love, but we only have one. I need more words! That kiss was otherworldly… like how I imagine it would feel entering Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory—a dream of mine. I’m giddy that such an experience exists.
My phone dings, waking me up from my stupor. Only then do I realize I’ve been sitting in the driveway for who knows how long, stuck in Leo La-la land—a place I hope to visit again soon.
My phone dings a second time, and I see it’s a message from Aunt Val.
“Hi Chloe, when will you be home?”
Aunt Val is not one to check up on me. Maybe something happened. Maybe she needs her car. I grab my book bag and hustle inside.
As soon as I open the door, I head to the kitchen. The sound of male voices makes its way to my ears. Walking closer, it appears Aunt Val has company, but she never mentioned anyone coming.
I approach the kitchen island where everyone has their backs turned. They must not have heard me come in.
"Hey," I say, with an awkward unnecessary wave since no one is looking at me.
“Oh look who’s here!” Aunt Val walks over and gives me a side hug. The two other people turn and my backpack falls to the floor with a crash.
Bronson Campbell is staring back at me.
Chapter 11
