“Come on,” I toss her bag inside, “let me help you.” Without another word, my hands make their way to her waist, firmly but gently hoisting her up into the passenger seat.
She sits frozen in the seat and that’s when I realize my hands are still on her. Somehow with me helping her up, my handsmade their way from her soaked tank top to her bare skin just above the waistband of her shorts.
Knowing I have to let go, I selfishly let my fingers linger a second longer before I do.
Quickly, I shut her door so she doesn’t get even more wet and run to the driver’s side, hoping in.
Clicking in my seatbelt, I look over to Maisie looking down, fiddling with her fingers. I’d think something was wrong but I can’t miss the small grin on her face.
“If I had a Fuck It List, do you know what my first item would be?”
“Hmm…” She looks up to me, rain soaked hair and wet eyelashes.
“To dance in the rain with a blonde haired, blue eyed girl with freckles whose nose turns pink under the cold rain.” I watch her nose scrunch in response as I put the key in the ignition.
“Is that so?” she questions with a shy smirk.
“Veryso.”
“You are something else.” She fiddles with her fingers again but her smile doesn’t leave her face.
I don’t say anything as I put my arm on the back of her headrest, putting the truck in reverse. Did I need to? No, but I will do pathetic things just to be close.
“So,” I put the car in drive and pull up to a stop sign, “contrary to popular belief not all men are stalkers and I don’t actually know where you live.”
I turn my head at the same time she leans hers back on the headrest, face turning toward mine. She licks her lips attempting to hide her small smile but just like everything else about her… I notice.
“Take a left here and when you get to the main road, take a right on Kain street,” she says. “And if youarea stalker,” she continues, “that’s not actually my house.”
Her soft laughter at her joke causes a similar reaction out of me. The rest of the short drive to Maisie’s house is filled with beaming smiles and giggles, a sound that’s music to my ears.
I havea childlike grin on my face after I drop Maisie off. If this is what it’s like to be in her presence, then I’m screwed.
The drive was too short and it would be painstakingly obvious if I took backroads to elongate the car ride so I just took in the time we had. The subtle smile on her face the whole drive there. The hug and shy smile I received when I walked her to her door. The smell of sunflowers and sweet honey that still lingers in the passenger seat.
Putting the car in park, I grab my phone and see I have an unread text.
Maisie
I didn’t expect today to be one of the best days I’ve had in a while, thank you.
I feel like a preteen boy receiving a Valentine’s Day card from their crush. My cheeks start to burn. I turn on the AC in the truck to help cool me down cause I really don’t want to explain to Miles that one simple text has me acting like this.
Typing out ten different responses and immediately deleting them all, I finally press send.
Next time it rains, you know where I’ll be.
13
MAISIE
“Table ten’s order is ready!” Kevin calls from the kitchen.
“Thank you!” I grab both plates and make my way to Gladis and Charles’ table. They’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember and always wait for the booth by the entry way.
The smile on my face has been permanent since the other day with Henry. From the nervous butterflies, to the spinning in the rain, to the drive home. It was perfect, and carefree.
I felt free.
