On the Surface (Imperfect Love 3)

“Everything okay?” Jase asks, eyeing my phone.

“Yeah, it’s almost dead. I’m turning it off.”

He nods. “Quinn has exams this week. I can’t remember… Does NCU too?” His gaze bounces from the road to me.

“I’m done with my exams.” Technically, I’m telling him the truth. I finished my exams last week. Seniors get out a couple weeks earlier than everyone else as a senior privilege. The day before graduation, I have to attend the rehearsal, but other than that, I’m completely done with school. A few of my friends headed over to White Oak to spend the week camping and going water rafting, but that’s not really my thing, so I didn’t join them.

Jase pulls into the parking garage and finds a spot. Before I can open my door to get out, he jogs around and opens it for me. “A girl could seriously get used to this kind of treatment, Mr. Crawford,” I joke.

“Good.” He leans down for a kiss, then taking my hand in his, walks us over to where a bunch of booths are set up. “Looks like the farmer’s market is here.”

We spend the next couple hours checking out all of the homemade goods. We stop at one stand where there’s an older couple who are selling fresh baked treats from their bakery. Jase buys us a giant cinnamon bun for us to share. We also stop at a couple fresh grocers and buy some delicious looking strawberries and blackberries to munch on while we walk around.

When we stop at a cute homemade jewelry booth, I spot the most beautiful dandelion necklace. It reminds me of the fake tattoo Jase drew on me yesterday morning and the story he told me about his mom. The necklace is silver, and dangling from it, in a clear, thin, circular glass, is a real dandelion. With its petals flailing out every which way, it looks like it’s been frozen in time. Hanging from the charm is a tiny plaque that reads wish on one side, and dream on the other.

“This is beautiful,” I tell the woman.

“Thank you. I find them and make them myself.” She smiles softly. When I see the price, and know I can’t afford it, I set it down and walk over to another area of the tent to check out her other pieces. When I look around to see where Jase is, I spot him talking to the woman.

“Thank you,” he says to her.

“You’re very welcome.” She grins.

Once we’re out of her tent, I ask him what he was thanking her for.

“This.” He pulls a small bag out of his front pocket. “Turn around.”

I do as he says, and a second later, I feel something cool touch my chest. When I glance down, I see the dandelion charm is there.

“Jase.” I twirl around to face him.

“I saw you eyeing it.” He shrugs nonchalantly. “You said yesterday that a necklace has the capabilities of making a woman feel more.” His gaze lands on the necklace before he locks eyes with me. “It looks beautiful on you.”

“Thank you.” I wrap my arms around his neck and give him a hug. Tears threaten to fill my eyes, and emotion clogs my throat, but I will them both away, not wanting to scare Jase. It’s not his fault that the girl he brought home has fallen for him this hard and fast.

I’m about to pull away when Jase grips my hips, and holding me close to him, says, “Never stop wishing and dreaming, Celeste.” Then he kisses me softly. The kiss doesn’t last long since we’re standing in the middle of the sidewalk, but it’s one of those moments, one of those kisses, that I know I will remember for the rest of my life.

With our fingers entwined, we continue to walk until we reach the end of the farmer’s market and the beginning of the promenade. The area contains a movie theater, a couple restaurants, some upscale stores, and a coffee shop.

We stop in front of the lit screen that displays the movies and show times. “You pick,” he says. I decide on a romantic comedy—I’ve clearly lost my mind and have decided to just embrace it. After getting a large soda and popcorn for us to split, we head inside the theater. The movie either must suck or be on its way out because aside from one other couple who are sitting all the way in the front, the theater is completely empty.

We head straight to the top of the theater and sit in the corner. A few minutes later, the lights go out and the previews begin. Jase raises the armrest between us and tucks me into his side, his arm curling around the back of my neck. I have to stifle my giggle at how couple-y we must look. I’ve been on plenty of dates, but with the type of guys I usually give my time to, a date generally consists of an expensive dinner or a charity event. This is my first time at the movies with a guy.