I stick my hand to my chest. “I didn’t know there was so much riding on it.”
She nods solemnly. Her serious expression is in such contrast to her cheery outfit that I have to fight to keep my mouth from curving into a smile. “Well, you came out of the gate really strong when you asked me to be your girlfriend. And the birthday flowers? Now I have high expectations. You have no one else to blame if this doesn’t work out.”
I lift up both of my hands and cross my fingers. “Here’s hoping some wildflowers I found on the way over and letting you order something not on the value menu at McDonald’s is enough to keep you interested. If not, at least we had a good run.”
“We’ll always have Noel.”
“And cross country.”
Ella laughs and lifts up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “Ihighly doubt that you’re taking me to McDonald’s, but I want you to know that I really wouldn’t care if that’s what we did today. I’m just happy to be with you.”
I know she means every word, but I’m excited to get to do something that shows her how important she is to me. Still, I can’t resist the opportunity to tease her a little more.
I pull out my phone and pretend to make a call. “Hello? Yes, I’d like to cancel the plane that was going to write a message in the sky today. Yep. Turns out she’s okay with chicken nuggets. I know, I think it’s silly, too. Also, if you could refund me for the twelve dozen roses I ordered, that would be great. She doesn’t want them. Thanks so much.”
Ella punches my shoulder as I return my phone to my pocket.
“What was that for? I thought you said you were okay with the value menu.”
“First of all, I said I’d be okay if you took me and we got to order off the regular menu. But I’m sad that you canceled the plane because I really want to know what the sky message was going to say.”
I rub my shoulder. “It was going to say ‘Ella is so lucky to be dating the most handsome guy at Citrus Prep.’”
“You wish you were the most handsome guy at Citrus Prep.” She walks toward my truck and gets in the passenger seat.
“Wait.” I jump into the driver’s seat. “Who’s better looking?”
She shrugs as she puts on her seatbelt.
“Ella.” I level her with a stare. “Who do you think is more handsome than me?”
“Easy, pretty boy.” She pats my hand. “The mirror on the wall thinks Connor is the cutest of all.”
“Real funny.” I twist my hands so I can grab the one that is still resting on mine. “But what does Ella think?”
“Ella thinks you're the cutest guy in the entire world, not just Citrus Prep.” She leans in to give me a quick kiss. “Now, let’s go on our date.”
By the timewe reach the last place on her adventure, Ella is carrying a bunch of balloons, a dozen roses, a box of chocolates, a gift card to her favorite coffee shop, and a pair of earrings modeled after our school mascot. I’d help her carry them, but it’s way too fun watching her try to juggle everything. Plus, she insists that she wants to carry all her discovered treasures.
The earrings slip out of her fingers and fall against the sidewalk. She’s so loaded down with stuff that it’s impossible for her to bend over. I reach down and grab them off the ground. “I’m carrying them.”
“No way.” She uses her chin to motion to her shorts’ pocket. “Just put them in there.”
“Nope.” I shove them in my own. We’re downtown by one of the city’s many lakes. This particular one has asidewalk that goes all the way around and a promenade on one side that overlooks the water. Couples walk hand-in-hand as the sun sets, and Ella’s armful of stuff is getting lots of attention. “I’m holding onto the earrings and really think you should let me carry a few more things. I swear those guys are judging me for letting you carry it all. They keep giving me dirty looks.”
“Nah, they’re just mad because you’re making them look bad. I bet they took their dates to Wendy’s and thought a walk around the lake would top it off.”
I raise my brows.
She blushes. “Sorry, all the presents are going to my head. Maybe it’s time to head home?”
“What about your last gift, Adams? You’re okay with just leaving without knowing what it is?”
She bites her lips as she adjusts the items in her arms. Indecision is etched in her face.
“It’s really good.”
Her shoulders sag. “Fine, but it better be better than a Baconator.”
