"I know. I just don't want to see you hurt, period. I can't lose you too, Sam." Grace's eyes met mine, and I could see that their blue depths were full of pain and loss. I hugged her closer, feeling her arms tighten around me as well.
"I won't let that happen," I whispered. I heard her sniffle, and she gave me one more squeeze before letting me go.
"You should get to bed. You have work in the morning." She pushed the glasses back onto her petite nose. "And I have to finish studying for this test. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
"You got it. I'll make the coffee," I promised. Grace smiled and picked up her glass of milk and cookies and headed back into her room. I watched her go and then headed up to my room to get some sleep myself.
Chapter 11
Robbie was supposed to be here to pick me up at any moment, but I stood half-naked in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear. My nerves had me jumping and changing my mind about every article of clothing, and even how I should do my hair.
Just relax! I tried to tell myself, but it wasn't working. He's just Robbie! He won't care what you're wearing or how your hair looks! You are supposed to be sailing! I knew I shouldn't care, but after the amazing date in New York City two days ago, I was flustered. I had never liked someone as much as I liked Robbie. He made me feel like anything was possible and that the future could be a wonderful place.
I finally just threw on my favorite sailing leggings and a lightweight long sleeved shirt over my bikini. The bikini part was optional, but I felt prettier wearing it than my normal swimsuit. I stared at the mirror for a moment, trying to figure out what to do with my hair. I finally just gave up and put the long, dirty blonde tresses up in a manageable ponytail. I did, however, put just a touch of lipstick on. Just because I was being sensible didn't mean I didn't have to at least try a little bit.
I had a cute skirt with a flattering top in a bag to change into if I needed something dry, and I tossed a waterproof jacket and my sailing shoes in on top of it. I kept a hairbrush and hair-ties in the pocket of the bag, and other than that, I couldn't think of anything else to bring. Nervous butterflies did the mamba in my stomach, and no matter how much I tried to convince myself that this wasn't a date, the butterflies didn't believe me.
A strong knock on the door told me Robbie had arrived. I slung my bag over my shoulder and hurried to the front door, but it didn't matter. Avery had beaten me to it. She had the door open wide, her new princess dress fluttering in the fall breeze as she waved to Robbie. Robbie grinned at me over her head as I made my way to the door.
"Hi, Robbie! Do you like my dress? I like it. Thank you. You ready to take Aunt Sam on a trip?" she asked him, her sentences blurring together in a long stream of little-girl enthusiasm.
"Avery, sweetie, we're just going to go out for today. The race isn't until next week," I answered, giving her a kiss on the top of the head. Avery's small features frowned, and she opened her mouth to say something, but Robbie knelt down in front of her and whispered in her ear. A knowing smile blossomed across her face, and she nodded emphatically at Robbie.
"Right. I forgot. You guys have a good... day." She giggled hysterically at the last word, as though she knew some sort of secret. Robbie shook his head and stood up slowly.
"You look amazing. You ready to go?" he asked. He stood confidently in the door, the wind ruffling his sandy hair. The stubble on his chin was back, but it made him look rugged. I rather liked it.
"Yeah, let me just let Grace know I'm leaving," I said, twisting around to call back into the house. Before I could yell out, Grace came out of the kitchen. She had a highlighter tucked over her ear and her reading glasses on, so I knew she had been studying.
"Hi, Robbie. You two go have fun," she said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. I narrowed my eyes and glanced from Robbie to Grace to Avery. Last time Grace had seen Robbie, she had not been pleased with him, but now she was all smiles. Something fishy was going on. While Avery had a wild imagination, she didn't get confused that easily. Grace didn't stop studying for just anything, and Robbie looked just a tad too confident. Something was up.
"All right, you three, what's going on?"
Grace and Robbie exchanged grins and instantly changed their expressions to look innocent. Avery tried to mimic them, but all she ended up doing was looking like she was going to be sick.
"Nothing! Go, have fun! It was great to see you again, Robbie," Grace said, pushing me gently out the door. Avery giggled.
"You too, Grace. Thanks for all your help," he said with a wink.
"Seriously, guys, tell me what's going on?" I pleaded, but Grace just pushed me harder. Robbie moved out of the door, and before I knew it, the front door was shut with Avery and Grace's giggles muffled behind it. I gave Robbie a questioning look.
"What's going on? What sneaky surprise do you three have planned?" I asked. Robbie just laughed and guided me to the car. It was a cute, sporty little red thing. He took the bag from my shoulder and put it in the back seat before opening the door.
I could see Grace and Avery, their blonde hair shining and petite features smiling like jack-o-lanterns in the window
, so I waved. Avery waved back emphatically, almost smacking Grace in the face as Robbie started the engine.
"I'll tell you what's going on when we get there," Robbie said cryptically. He pulled out of the driveway and began racing the little car down the street. The cool air felt wonderful against the warm sunshine and I leaned back and just let Robbie drive. I knew I wasn't going to get answers from him until he was ready to share the surprise.
He turned at the intersection leading to the marina, and instead of making a right, he turned left. I sat up in my seat. "This isn't the way to the marina."
"Nope."
I waited for him to say more, but he just gave me an impish smirk that made me want to hit him. I wondered where we were going that he would turn the wrong way.
"Where are we going?" I demanded, looking out the window at the fall foliage flying by. I never came out this direction, so I had no idea where we were headed.
"Some place fun." He shifted into a higher gear, the hum of the sports car singing in the air.