Everett chuckles and scratches his fingertips along the side of his face. “I think it’s sweet to have an ambitious life goal at a young age.”
“You are kindly trying to tell me that I’m adorable,” I correct him.
“No, I mean it. I had no plans aside from acting because it is what my parents decided they wanted me to do.”
“They think they know everything, I suppose.”
“Well, I guess we’re showing them they’re wrong.”
“You have,” I say. “I’m still living at home answering to my father.”
“But in a few months, that will all change. You’ll be free to go wherever you want and do as you please,” he says, reminding me of my words.
“Maybe I should send you out with my friend, Audrey, next time. There’s no sense in wasting time with a disoriented girl like me, is there?”
Everett shifts around in his seat to face me. “Well, wait just a darn minute, Miss Lizzie. Here I am, thinking we had a wonderful night, and I am, seconds away from asking you out on a second date. Why in the world would I want to go out with one of your friends?”
I’m embarrassed by my assumption but speaking about the thought of running off into the unknown in a few months doesn’t paint an ideal picture for our potential future. “Well, I figured since you are so understanding of my passionate desires to run away, you might not want to spend time around a girl without a plan.”
“Lizzie, my plan is to not have one at all. Life will happen as it should. I’d like to see you again, and if it’s something you might enjoy too, I won’t give your lack of intention a second thought. I’m alive right now, in this moment, and it’s a pretty darn wonderful moment if you ask me.”
“You talk in circles, you know that?”
“Does it make you dizzy?” His words lower in volume and a slow smile curls along his lips.
“Very much so.”
“Well, good. It’s time to get you home now. The movie just ended.”
“What an ending,” I say as a shiver tingles up my spine.
“And maybe … it’s the beginning of something new,” he replies.
The stars sparkle into a blur as I rest the back of my head against Everett’s outstretched arm while we continue down the quiet streets of my neighborhood. One little white lie for a night like tonight could become a mess of many tall tales.
“You can stop right over there at the corner.”
“Lizzie, you must not be serious. Your house is at least five or six houses away from the corner.”
“Six, yes, but my dad is home and if he spots your car—well, it will put a damper on this remarkable night.”
“Gosh, you are making this complicated. I’m going to watch you walk home, if that’s all right? I’ll feel better knowing you are inside safely.”
“Of course, but I’ll have you know I’ve walked home from Audrey’s house many times this late at night. I assure you there’s no need to worry.”
“I understand,” he says, pulling up along the corner. He reaches for his door handle. I assume he is planning to open my door, but there’s no need if he isn’t joining me on my walk. I place my hand on his, the one resting on the steering wheel. “Everett, thank you for a lovely evening. I had a swell time.”
“May I get the door for you?”
I try to suppress the giggle working up through my chest, but it slips out. “You are incredible and sweet, but I’m the type of girl who is happy to open a door on her own.”
Everett dips his head, almost as if he must collect his thoughts. “Well, Miss Lizzie, I am the type of man who insists on opening doors for ladies, so I’m not sure how this could affect our future dates, but I hope you’ll come around to the idea of letting a man treat you as special as you are.” The slight smirk teasing one side of his lips shows his humor, but I sense there is more than a little truth to his statement.
“Well, next time, keep the car rolling and I’ll jump right on out. How about that?”
“Trouble. You are a handful. I guess I was right to assume so earlier tonight. Nevertheless, I find you terribly fascinating. Plus, I believe you just said there will be a next time, so does that mean we can do this again?”
“If it is up to me, yes, but if you come to realize I’m too much trouble for you, I understand, Lieutenant Anderson.” I blow him a kiss from the palm of my hand and push the passenger door open just enough to slip out onto the street. “Good night, now.”
