She squinted and tilted her head as she tried to picture that. “Uhhh.”
“My sleeve, Ro,” I said, holding up my arm again and getting back to the important part. “His sleeve-holding is my newest favorite thing ever.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
DEACON
I stoodand watched as Winter’s car drove away, as his red brake lights disappeared into the darkness.
I’d been so nervous before tonight, but my tummy wasn’t churning or aching now. Instead, there was an odd flutter in my chest and my heart felt bigger somehow, warmer too.
“Everything okay, sweetheart?” Mom said behind me.
I turned, startled, my hand still to my heart. “Oh, yes.”
“Close the door. You’re letting all the heat out,” she said.
“Oh, yes, of course.” I pulled the door shut. “I was just watching him leave.”
“Dinner went well?” she hedged.
I wasn’t entirely sure why that was a question. “Yes. I thought so.”
“He’s a lovely boy.”
“He’s twenty-eight.”
“He’s a boy to me,” she said with a smile. “Now, did you want hot chocolate or tea before bed?”
“No, none for me, thank you. I’m fine.” Except my heartwas still too big. “I’ll go get ready for bed. I have an early start tomorrow.”
“Okay, love.”
“Oh,” I said. “Uh, Winter said his friends are having dinner at the pizzeria one night this week, and he asked if I’d like to go. I said yes. So I won’t need dinner on that night. I’m not sure which night yet but I’ll let you know.”
Her eyes went wide and she smiled. “That’s fine. And exciting.”
I made a face, trying not to think about meeting a group of people. “Well, we’ll see. I might not go yet.”
“Might not go where?” Dad said. “And why are we having this conversation at the front door? Did Winter go already?”
“He said to say thank you and good night,” Mom said. “And Deacon was just telling me he has a date night this week.”
A date night?
“A date night?” Dad asked, grinning at me. “That’s great. Good for you. He’s a nice boy.”
“He’s twenty-eight,” I said. I was about to dispute the date-night claim but then I wasn’t entirely sure that was wrong.
Did I have a date with Winter?
By definition, I think I did, yes.
Oh boy, I had a date with Winter.
Were we dating?
To go on a date with someone would imply dating, or was there a specific number of dates to be had before the term dating applied? I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t feel comfortable asking Mom or Dad that question. Maybe I could ask Google... no.
