Thankfully, he stops coming closer, but his gaze travels over me. “How old are you?”
I was not expecting that question. “Eighteen. Why?”
He slowly nods and steps back. “You seem nervous. I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to, Cricket.”
Relief floods through me as I let out a high-pitched giggle. “Sorry, I’m new to all this.” My hands fly back and forth indicating the two of us, but then I realize that doesn’t say what I want it to. “Dating. That’s what I mean.”
He smiles at me. “I see.”
“H-how old are you?” I ask, trying to keep it together. This is not going as I had imagined my first date would.
“Twenty-two. Does that bother you?”
I shake my head, doing the math. “My dad is five years older than my mom, so a whole year older than you are to me.” After the words are out, I realize how that sounds, and I choke. “Not that we’d get married. I didn’t mean… Although Diane knows we want toilet-shaped salt and pepper shakers if we ever do decide to…” Embarrassment heats my face.
River lets out a huge laugh. “That was so much fun. Thanks for playing along.”
“I enjoyed it too.” Thinking back on it, I had a lot of fun with River when Micah wasn’t on my mind. I really should forget about Micah and try harder with River.
I step closer to him, gaining more confidence. “So, tomorrow, then? We’ll go celebrate if you have a great audition.”
“We can go anywhere you’d like.”
I furrow my brow in mock confusion. “But what if you don’t have a good audition?”
He acts shocked. “Ouch. You doubt me?”
“No. I’m just covering all the bases.”
He grins. “Well, if things don’t go well, I get to pick where we go to make me feel better for botching the audition.”
I can’t hold in my smile. Either way, we get a date. “All right.”
He reaches his hand out and curls a strand of my hair over my ear. The gentle touch sends a shiver through me, and I don’t pull away. His fingers linger near my face, and I feel my nervousness starting to melt away.
“You’re really beautiful, Cricket,” he says softly. “I hope you know that.”
My cheeks warm. No one has ever told me that before. “Thank you.”
“And smart. The way you talked about your writing tonight… you have such passion for it. I know I said this before, but I’d love to read some of your work sometime.”
My heart flutters. He actually wants to read my writing. “You’re not just saying that?”
“Of course not. I bet you’re incredibly talented.” His thumb brushes against my cheek.
I lean into his touch, feeling more relaxed than I have all evening. Maybe this could work. Maybe if I kiss him, I can get over Micah.
“I had a really good time tonight,” I whisper.
“So did I.” He steps closer, and this time I don’t panic. “Cricket?”
“Yeah?”
“I’d really like to kiss you. Is that okay?”
My heart hammers, but I nod. I want to get over Micah. I want to try with River. And maybe if I kiss him, I’ll finally understand what all the fuss is about.
I close my eyes and tilt my face up toward his. I can feel his breath on my lips, feel him leaning down?—
