Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“Does it still look neat?”

“Simon, stop it. I wanted you to take me on a date, not dress up like someone I don’t know. You look handsome, dashing. Stop worrying so much. Please. You’re actually making me nervous.”

“I am nervous. I thought we’d been on dates before.”

“We have in a way, but nothing like this. Now, pick up your menu.” She’d noticed the moment they entered the restaurant some of the couples had stopped eating to watch them. This was what she was used to. Even back home in a town that accepted them, there were a few people who didn’t like to mingle with them.

Glancing over the menu, she went straight to the vegetarian section.

“I’m ready to order if you are.”

Simon looked toward their waiter, who immediately came to their table. He gave his order and Tabitha asked for hers, offering up the menu. She settled on a chocolate pudding for dessert.

Linking her fingers together in her lap, she stared across the candlelit table. “This is nice.”

“It is?” he asked.

“The suit aside, you and me, out to dinner. Come on, tell me you don’t like this.”

Simon reached across the table, taking her fingers. His touch made her ache all over. Locking their fingers together, he cleared his throat.

“I love this. I love being with you.”

“But?”

“There’s not a but.”

“I know you. Come on, tell me.”

Simon sighed. “Fine. To me, every single day is a date with you. I don’t take a moment with you for granted. I mean, I know some people would think it’s stupid, but with how we grew up, the danger, I know how precious it is to be with people you love. One moment they can be taken from you and you won’t even see it coming. It’s why I love being with you every chance I have. Eating barbeque is still being a date. Even at home, sitting opposite you, playing footsie, it’s like a chance again. We only get so short a time, Tabby. Yeah, this makes me nervous, but I’m with you.”

She lifted her glass of water, taking a sip.

“You’re crying,” Simon said.

She waved her hand in front of her face. Lexie had helped her to do her makeup. “These are not sad tears. I’m happy. Like really happy. I didn’t realize you felt like that.”

Simon ran his thumb across her knuckles. “I do. I’m not being cheap. If this is what you want, then I will give it to you every single week.”

“I don’t need it every single week. I just, I wanted to go on a real date, but now I see I’ve been an idiot.”

“You’re not.”

“I am. Just being with you is enough. I don’t need all of this.”

“We’ve ordered and you’re going to eat.” He laughed. “We don’t have our parents breathing down our necks, but I know for a fact Curse and Mia are eating somewhere in this restaurant.”

Tabitha quickly looked around. “You’re kidding. Where?”

“Not kidding. I heard Dad call them, asking if they could keep an eye, asking if they’d make sure we turned up.”

“That is so rude.”

“The whole grandpa thing. I feel your pain.”

“It’s not pain. I’m pissed. Why can’t they trust us?” she asked.

“We’re kids.”

She shook her head. “That excuse is getting old.”

“Tell me about it.”

Tabitha took his other hand. “I’m going to love you forever, you know that?”

“I do.”

Staring across the table, she looked into his dark eyes and knew their life wasn’t going to be easy, but she would make it work. For the both of them.Chapter ElevenAfter flicking through the book, Tabitha closed it and slid it back on the shelf. She went to the next one that was on her list that Daisy had sent her last night. Her best friend was helping her through some of the science she was struggling with. She was still being sent work from her old high school. She worked in one of the offices at reception, but right now, she was in the Piston County library as the main school one didn’t have what she was looking for, trying to find everything she needed to get her work done.

There would come a point when they’d demand she enroll in a new school but until then, she was determined to have a connection to her old school. So long as she did the work, and didn’t mess them around, she’d be good. She knew that. What she didn’t want to do was enroll in Simon’s school. It would be like her life at Fort Wills was officially over. The agreement, Lash and Devil made with both schools was temporary, which was why she worked in the office, rather than attend any classes. At least she didn’t have to deal with Amber as she wasn’t at school because Tabitha did break her nose. Rumors were running rife, but no one messed with her.