“On that note,” Brett grumbles, “we’ll see you inside.” He grabs Lizzie’s arm and drags her around the back of the house.
With a shake of my head, I watch them disappear from sight. It’s going to take some time to get used to seeing them together as a couple. Although, I’m sure Brett feels the same way about us.
“So,” Ty bumps his shoulder into mine, “alone at last.”
A fresh wave of awareness crashes over me as I glance at him from beneath my lashes. I’ve spent so many years wanting Ty to see me as something other than Brett’s little sister, and now that he has, it feels almost surreal—like this can’t possibly be happening. I want to stop time and make this moment last forever.
“If you’re not busy tomorrow night, I’d like to take you out.”
Elation explodes in my chest. “I’d like that.” More than he’ll ever realize.
“Wicked.” He pops to his feet. “I should motor. It’s late, but I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“For sure.” I rise to mine. For a night that started out like crap, it somehow ended on an amazing note. One I never saw coming.
He takes a few steps backward before swinging around and moving toward the street where his cherry-red Firebird is parked. As I consider slipping inside the house, Ty spins around. Four long-legged strides bring him right back to me.
My breath catches as his hands rise to my cheeks. “There’s no way I can leave without one last kiss.”
I melt beneath him as his mouth slants over mine. When the velvety softness of his tongue licks at the seam of my lips, I open until it can slip inside and mingle with my own. Time stands still as he drags me to the very bottom of the ocean. I have no idea how long we stay fused together.
All I know is that there is no way I will forget this night for the rest of my life.
How could I when it feels like all my dreams have finally come true?
Danielle
I take one last look in the mirror before adding large silver hoops to my ears and a few matching bangles to my wrist. As I blow out a breath, the doorbell rings from downstairs, and my belly drops to the bottom of my toes.
Part of me still can’t believe I’m going out on a date with Ty Nelson.
Ty Nelson!
The very same guy I’ve crushed on forever.
Anticipation bubbles up inside me as I grab my purse from the top of my dresser and head to the staircase. Halfway down, Ty comes into view. A fresh wave of nerves careens down my spine. My feet almost stumble before I flatten a hand against my lower abdomen, attempting to still the butterflies that are winging their way to life inside the confines of my belly.
A slow smile spreads across his face, and somehow, it has the power to settle everything rioting dangerously inside me. All of the noise in my head goes eerily silent, and the world falls away until it’s just the two of us. I can’t imagine another guy affecting me this way.
As I step off the last riser into the foyer, he says, “Wow, you look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Heat suffuses my cheeks. There’s no way I’d ever admit it, but I spent hours picking out the perfect outfit for tonight and getting ready.
When Dad clears his throat, I blink out of my Ty-induced haze. Honestly, I forgot my father was standing near the front door. “So, Ty, I hear that you’re taking my little girl out on a date.”
And just like that, reality crashes around me, and the spell I’d been under vanishes into thin air. “Dad!” He’s so embarrassing.
“What?” My father shrugs before stuffing his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. “I’m just trying to keep up with the times. Ty used to come around for your brother. Now he’s here for you. Lizzie’s always been your best friend, and now she’s dating Brett. Do you blame me for being confused?”
“Yes, sir,” Ty straightens to his full height, “with your permission, I’d like to take Dani out.”
Dad nods before slipping one hand from his pocket and pointing at me. “You see the condition my little girl is leaving the house in?”
Ty’s gaze slides toward me before his brow crinkles. Clearly, he doesn’t understand where this line of questioning is headed. “Umm...yes, sir?”
“That’s the condition Mrs. Wentworth and I expect her to be returned in.”
“Dad!” Oh my God, someone kill me now before this conversation becomes any more embarrassing.
“By midnight,” my father adds.
I groan, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
“And no necking at The Point either.” There’s a pause. “I might drive by to make sure there’s no funny business going on.”
Yup, I’m definitely on the verge of spontaneous combustion. Without another word, I grab Ty’s hand before dragging him out the front door.