‘You think I’m good-looking?’
‘I was speaking in general terms.’
He laughs at that. ‘That’s cool. I know my place.’
‘I’m serious. You could have any girl you wanted right now. You could take her out to a fancy restaurant—’
‘And not bring her to a polluted lake…’
I love that he gets this twinkle in his eye when he laughs.
‘I’m serious, Jake. If they found out about this, I figure you’d just get a rap on the knuckles. Me, I’d potentially lose my job.’
He sobers up. ‘I’m not gonna let that happen. I promise you that. But it’s not gonna stop me from asking you to go out with me.’
I feel like whatever invisible barriers I’ve built up, he just knocked another one down. I sip my beer. My shoulders tense involuntarily.
‘Are you cold?’ he says. ‘Do you need another jacket?’
Before I can answer, he’s hopped over the side of the truck. I can’t help but admire his lithe movements, his well-built frame. I hear a door to the cab open, and he comes back with a jacket. He climbs back up to the cargo bed.
‘Here, put this on.’
I put down my beer. I take it, hold it up for a moment. It’s a varsity jacket from Penn State.
I thank him and slide my arms inside. The jacket’s too big for me. ‘I never dated a guy who went to college before.’
‘You didn’t? What kind of guys did you date? Am I allowed to ask?’
‘My high school boyfriend fixed up cars. That was my most serious relationship. I did internet dating for a while when I was younger, but I never met anybody who stuck around. Did you have a girlfriend in college?’
‘Uh. Two serious relationships. That’s about it.’ He blushes. ‘So, I guess now you know my body count.’
‘We’re talking body counts on a first date?’
His cheeks grow redder. ‘I didn’t plan on that coming out. I mean… you don’t have to tell me yours.’
I bite my lip and wrap his coat tighter around me. I feel at ease with him, but I’ve slept with more people than he has, and I didn’t come out here to damage his ego.
‘One day I will,’ I say.
I draw my knees up to my chest. Long shadows stretch over the lake, the sky now a shade of burnt orange.
‘Can I make a confession?’ he then says.
‘Sure.’
‘Just between you and me. It’s kind of a weird situation, but I don’t wanna keep it from you, because it’s kinda awkward.’
I search his face. ‘What is it?’
He blows out his cheeks. Looks into the sunset. ‘Samantha Conway asked me to take her daughter out on a date.’
I blink at him. ‘Shewhat?’
‘You know Lemon Conway?’
‘I knowofher.’
