“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He taps the doorframe and hesitates a moment. I realize he’s waiting for me to confirm it.
“Yeah, yeah, tomorrow night. I’m off at eleven.”
“See you then.”
“Yep, see ya.” I do my best to sound casual and it fails.
But if he notices, he doesn’t comment. “Good night, Penny.” And with that, he disappears from view and a few moments later, the door to the apartment clicks shut with an echoing silence.
18
Aspen
The next week drifts by with sleepless nights thinking of Reid and the phantom smell of his cologne clinging to every inch of my room, taunting and teasing me. Thoughts of him distract me at work and follow me out with my friends. No matter what I do, I can’t escape my racing thoughts of him.
And if there’s the chance I do, then he’s waiting outside to drive me home or a Whisper Me Nothings song comes on the radio.
It’s messing with my head, realizing that I want him maybe as more than just a friend. As my former foster brother. I wanted him to kiss me. Was waiting for it. Yearning for it.
But nothing.
And every night that he’s driven me home this past week, he’s never even gotten close again. I thought maybe I was imagining things. Going crazy.
Until the text I got half an hour ago came through.
Reid: Do you have plans today?
Me: Not really. Why? You’re off the hook today, remember. No work.
Reid: I know
Reid: You have plans now. I’m picking you up at 4
Me: What for?
Reid: We’re going to the beach
Me: Why?
Reid: Do I need a reason?
Me: Is this like a date?
I meant it as a joke. A hopeful, stupid one, but a joke nonetheless.
That is until his response came through only moments later.
Reid: If that’s what you want to call it then fine whatever. Just be ready at 4
My stupid, hardened heart hasn’t stopped racing since. I changed my bikini three times, finally settling on a white one with gold accents. I added a pair of jean shorts and brought a loose button up to wear over top or in case it gets cold. Fall has fully crept in on the city, and even though it’s sunny and beautiful outside, the wind can bring a bite with it.
I check the time and have a few minutes to spare.Quickly applying sunscreen and checking my makeup one more time, I grab my beach bag and head downstairs to wait for Reid.
But when I get outside, he’s already there, car idling at the curb. He doesn’t get out to open my door for me. Instead, with the windows rolled down, I see his long arm reach across the car and push open the door from the inside.
Black sunglasses sit on his face, hiding the small notch at the top of his nose. I’ve never asked him where he got it, but I would assume it’s from being broken at one point. I don’t remember him having it when we were younger.
“Hey,” I say and slip in the car.
