“Aren’t you going to campus?” Kellan asks.
Lyla nods. “Yeah, but I have to stop by home first. I have something I need to take care of before my first class.”
Something I’m assuming is her dad, but that’s none of their business.
“How about we give you a ride?” I offer.
She smiles at me softly. “I can walk. It’s not a big deal. Besides, it’s out of your way.”
“Who cares? We’re about to leave twenty minutes early. Unless you live farther out…” Calvin challenges.
“It’s five minutes from here,” I tell him.
“There you have it. We’ll give you a ride,” Calvin says.
Lyla shifts from one foot to the other. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” the guys say in unison.
For a moment all of us are quiet, and then we all laugh.
“Come on, let’s hit the road. I’m driving,” Kellan says.
We head outside, and I get into the back seat of Kellan’s SUV next to Lyla while Jason takes her other side. I reach over to take her hand in mine, loving that she lets me like it’s natural. Kellanheads toward her house, remembering the way from the double date we had. She chats with my friends as if she has always been here. Like she belongs. Looking down, I stare at her hand in my own. I can’t help but marvel at it. I have dreamed of this for so long that it feels surreal.
Her hands are so small and soft. Nothing like mine. Her nails are even painted a light pink color. Which, for some reason, makes me smile.
Jesus, I need to pull it together.
All too soon we pull up to her place, and I get out of the car.
“Later, Lyla, thanks for breakfast,” Jason says.
The other two murmur in agreement.
“Later, guys. Have a good day at practice.” She turns toward me. “I’ll see you later?”
“I’m going to walk you to the door,” I tell her as I start to pull her toward it.
“You don’t have to,” she urges.
“But I want to,” I remind her.
She walks toward her front door, mumbling something about me being stubborn. She doesn’t even know the half of it.
Once at the front door, she pretends to huff in annoyance. “Okay, now I’ll see you later?”
“Yes, now you’ll see me later. I’ll text you when I’m out of practice.”
Her whole body softens, and she leans toward me. “Sounds good.”
Without second-guessing it, I bring my hand up and cup the back of her head and pull her face toward mine, my lips covering hers. She makes a little humming noise in the back of her throat, which makes me smile.
“Have a good day, baby,” I murmur as I pull away.
“Bye,” she says absentmindedly as I force myself to walk away.
Once I’m back in the SUV, I can’t help but smile when I see her standing in the same spot, her fingers touching her lips.
