“At Bianca’s?” She gets off the stool, and I await the rest of her yelling. I look and see smiles on both my parents’ faces. “Iknewit. I mean, I called, but Kate didn’t confirm.”
The blush burns ten times brighter as I shrug. “I’m sorry, I know you worry.”
She comes over to me. “You’re lucky I love that girl, or else I’d be yelling more at you right now.” I chuckle when she pins me with one of her stares, and I shut up. “I accept your apology, just let me know beforehand so I don’t freak out again, hm?” She cups my chin, making me look at her, and I nod, causing her to smile again. “So, Bianca?”
I roll my eyes. “Bye, Mom,” I say as I walk to my room, buzzing with excitement for tonight.
I used to always consider myself a patient guy, except for when it comes to spending time with the person that I love most in the world.
Well, it’s an hour earlier than I asked her to come over, and I’m at the Crystal Pines gate as the guard opens it. Rubbing my eyes semi-aggressively and then running my hands through my hair, I try hard not to mess up the style. My anxiety escalates bit by bit. My heart starts to beat faster and faster as I get close. It beats even faster as I roar through the gate, her house mere minutes away. I park infront, the tiniest bit of sunlight still shining through my windshield. A couple of beads of sweat merge together on my palms, causing me to rub them against my slacks, hoping the flower stems don’t smell of sweat. I set the white tulips I bought earlier today on top of my hood as I run my hands down my face.
Should I have come early?
Should I have just waited until nine to come get her?
In the middle of my overthinking, the front door opens and she steps out. She’s wearing these beige linen pants that curve around her waist. My eyes skim her bare arms at this loose vest that makes her slightly tanned skin—from the other day at the beach—look ethereal. Her hair falls in those loose waves, the same hairstyle she wore to Dad’s work ball, and I smile a bit at that. She looks up and her eyes widen as she sees me, a grin gracing her pretty face.
She asks, “What are you doing here?” I catch her in my hold and her arms wrap around my neck. I chuckle as I see a slight shimmer on her eyelids, her blue eyes popping as they bore into mine.
“I couldn’t wait anymore,” I whisper, and she smiles, kissing me lightly.
“Me neither.” I make a move to deepen it when she pulls back. I huff in disappointment and she giggles softly. “Lip gloss.” I roll my eyes. I look down at her, seeing that she doesn’t cover her freckles as much as she used to, and it causes me to let out a small laugh.
I ask, “You ready to go?” while reaching over and grabbing the bouquet, her eyes twinkling ever so slightly as she takes it from me, nodding. I know that while she loves Los Angeles, the rural parts of Pennsylvania are something she misses. So instead of a fancy dinner at an upscale restaurant, I’ve planned something that’s utterly and truly her. We’re driving down a smaller road, but the scenery is truly to die for, and I do have a bit more time to kill. From my peripheral vision, she leans her head on the window, and I reach over to interlock our fingers together. I look over for a split second, and she gives me a beautiful smile that makes my heart skip a beat.
Ever since I met her, I’ve written down almost every song that reminded me of her, and when I was old enough, I compiled theminto a playlist. I mentally curse at how I should’ve already had the music playing, but well ...
“Freckles, would you mind if we play some music?”
“Of course not.” She grabs my phone, already knowing the passcode I told her the other night. “Which playlist should I ...” Her words trail off, and I already feel the blush warming my body. I can see she’s smiling before she lets out a small chuckle.
“You’re adorable, Liam.” She leans over, kissing me on the cheek.
“This isn’t fair, you know I can’t kiss you right now.” She laughs at that, and I squeeze her hand as she squeezes back when the low tunes of the Bianca-centered playlist fill the car. I haven’t told her where we’re going, and I’m taking her the long way in hopes she won’t remember. Yet, as we get closer, I genuinely can’t think of a better place to have my very first date with the love of my life.
I stop a bit farther out as I know she has walking shoes on, and she looks around in confusion. Getting out of the car, I swing open her door, open the glove compartment, and take out a blindfold.
“I kinda need you to put this on for the next part.” She looks at me, arching one of her perfect eyebrows, defiance on her face, and I sigh. “Please?”
Her demeanor falls as she gives in and a hint of a smile graces her face. My heart speeds up at the tiniest bit of emotion from her. She takes it from me and ties it over her eyes
She murmurs a small, “Done,” and I wave a hand, making sure she doesn’t see a thing.
“I got you, Freckles. I promise,” I vow. She puts her hands in mine and I carefully guide her. After another bit of walking, I stop right in the middle of where we should be.
“Now what? Can I take—”
“Not yet.” I reach for a small remote from my pants pocket. I click a button as she takes her blindfold off. A hundred fake candles glitter throughout the field. Trust me, I counted them, and the cashier had a field day with me. White tulip petals are scattered allaround us and a lone telescope sits on the hill. I look over to her as I wring my hands and a couple of tears are coming down her face. I resist the urge to wipe them off, kiss them away. Instead, I patiently wait for her response.
I get closer while I say, “This is the field we used to come to as kids.” I look around. “The one where we would go s—”
“Stargazing,” she finishes, and I smile.She remembers.
She turns around, backing up again, and I let her look. She bends, her hands brushing the candles, and I chuckle.
“Can’t have a fire, so we settle for fake ones,” I say, and she softly laughs. She keeps walking the path I made for her with the candles, going up the little hill like she used to always do, and I follow. Her hands drag across the length of the telescope and she glances at me with a curious expression.
“Look into it.”
