She’s a vision in white linen trousers. A light-blue paisley patterned kimono-type cover-up hangs over a white cami. She moves her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder and bites on her pink glossy lip.
Seeing her all dressed up, I forget to open the car door as planned. Before I can even try, she’s already there, opening the passenger side door. She slides into the seat next to me. The centre console is the only thing between us, and I resist the urge to lean over and kiss those luscious lips.
There’s no denying she looked good at my party in the crochet dress she wore. This boho style she has going on always looks good on her, but today, there’s something about having her in my car that makes her irresistible because tonight she’s all mine. Even if I have technically bribed her to get here.
“You colour co-ordinated after all.” I put the car into reverse and back out of the campsite entrance.
She side-eyes me as she clicks on her seatbelt.
“What, no quick comeback?” I chuckle as I start the engine. “Cat got your tongue?”
“How long must I endure this date and where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise. I thought we could eat and then take you back to my place.”
I glance her way, taking my eyes off the winding road for a second. She raises an eyebrow.
“I have something I’d like to show you.” Focusing on the road, I remind myself to stay calm and just be myself,like my mother said. If I’m going to be myself around her, then I should show her what my passions are too.
“I already told you, I’m not that type of girl.”
“No. I didn’t mean—” In the corner of my eye, I catch her smiling. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself. An improvement from the penguin suit you had on the other night.”
“I thought you liked all sea life?”
“Penguins are birds, dumbass.”
With a smile, I take the turn out of Magnolia Point and drive across the May River towards the next town.
“Where are we going?” She twists her hands together in her lap, her foot tapping against the footwell.
“You’ll see. Relax” I want to place my hand on her thigh to calm her nerves, but I’m probably just as nervous as she is. I grip the steering wheel, my hands sweating against the leather.
The wind cools me down as I pick up speed on the open road. Shelly’s hair blows in the wind, ruining her perfectly styled curls, but the windswept beach hair that I’m used to looks good on her.
“If I’d known you were going to flex in this convertible, I wouldn’t have bothered doing my hair.” She glances my way with a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. I know she doesn’t really care about her hair, as she makes no attempt to hold it down and lets it blow freely like the free spirit she is, and I admire that about her. Envy it almost.
People assume I have freedom due to wealth, but my parents have always controlled my life. Dictating my education. Deciding who I should hang out with. The only freedom I had was taking a gap year to study art in Europe.
“I thought you’d like the car.”
“Am I meant to be impressed?”
“What do you drive?”
“A bicycle.” She giggles, making me laugh along with her. “I have a VW camper, but as it’s where I live, it’s a lot of hassle to pack stuff away just to drive somewhere.”
“You live in a camper?” I glance her way to check her features. I can’t tell if she’s having me on or not, but knowing her, this doesn’t surprise me one bit, and makes sense why I picked her up from the campsite.
“Yes. It’s an old camper, but with the awning up, there’s plenty of room.”
“What about a shower and toilet?” My brows pinch together, wondering how she lives on a campsite. “How do you wash your clothes? Do you even have electric?”
“I have a twelve-volt hookup.” She giggles again. “Finn, have you ever camped before?”
“Yes, I did Glastonbury every year, but only for a few nights. I couldn’t live like that.”
