Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Liza

I cannot believe how amazing this date has gone. I've never met such a laid-back, genuine kind of guy. He's so certain of himself, but not in a cocky way. And that kiss … wow. Best first kiss ever!

I don't want the date to end, and I get the feeling he feels the same way. I wish I knew more about the area because I have no clue where else we could go or what we could do to prolong our night.

When he pulls onto my aunt and uncle's street, a sense of sadness washes over me, knowing it's coming to an end. He puts the truck in park, and as I reach for my seat belt, he covers his hand over mine, stopping me from unbuckling it.

I look up, and when our eyes meet, he gives me a soft grin.

"Maybe we can just hang out in the truck and talk some more? It's not too late yet."

I can't stop the cheesy grin that covers my face. "I'd like that."

"Good. I was about to drive you to a lookout spot, but I was afraid you'd think I was only taking you there to make out." He raises his eyebrows in a sexy way that makes me laugh.

I work up the nerve to say, "That wouldn't have been such a bad idea, but this is probably better."

I feel my face flush from what I just said, but it's true, and I want him to know that I'm feeling as into the two of us as he is. But, yeah, after that kiss, who knows how far I would have gone with this guy I just met? So, sitting in front of my family's house is probably safer.

He unbuckles his seat belt and moves to sit sideways in his seat. I do the same, and we sit, staring at each other until I laugh.

"Nothing to say?"

He shrugs unapologetically. "I'm not a super-talkative guy. Silence doesn't weird me out like it does others."

I chuckle to myself, nodding. "Good to know." Then look at him some more, taking in everything about him and wanting to know more. "Tell me about your family. Do you have any siblings?"

"I have a little sister."

"How much younger is she than you?"

He pauses for a second, then answers, "A lot. She's only eight."

"Wow. Eight." My eyes open wide. "You weren't kidding when you said little."

He smiles, shaking his head. "Nope. My parents tried for years to have another one, then after they gave up, here came Ava."

"God's plan works in mysterious ways sometimes."

"That it does."

"I can't imagine starting over like that. What? You must have been thirteen? Fourteen?"

He moves his head back and forth in thought. "Yeah, something like that."

"Was it hard to welcome a baby like that into the home?"

"Nah. She's been fun to have around. She likes for me to carry her everywhere we go."

"I bet she does. You must be a giant to her."

He smirks. "Yeah, kind of."

"Is your dad this tall?"

He shakes his head. "Nope. I'm three inches taller than him."

"Six-two isn't a small guy though."

"No, but when you see the two of us together, it's a big difference. My mom laughs at how small she says I make him look when we're in the kitchen together."

I take a moment to think what he'd look like next to my dad and try not to laugh at the thought. My dad is pushing five-ten, on a good day. There definitely won't be any fear tactics my dad used to try on the guys I dated when it comes to Eli.

"Tell me about your sister," I say.

"Ava?" He grins, and it's truly genuine, which makes me smile as well. "She's a trip. She likes for me to watch Disney movies with her or play tea."

A hard laugh escapes my mouth, and I cover it quickly. "You? Play tea?"

His expression matches my own. He points at me as he says, "Yes, but I don't admit that to just anyone, so keep it to yourself."

"Sounds like she has you wrapped around her little finger."

He nods proudly. "That she does."

"That's cool you guys are so close, given your age difference."

"What about you? Do you have any siblings?"

"One. A sister. She still lives in Stockton. We aren't that close though."

"Bummer. Is she older or younger?"

I sigh, remembering the days that I used to look up to her. Now, I don't. "She's older. She's gotten into some stuff that just isn't for me. I think that's why my parents were happy that I chose to move here. To make sure I don't follow in her path."

He tilts his head slightly to the side, like he's taking me in. "You don't look like someone who would go down a bad path."

I let out a breath. "Neither did she. She started dating this guy who was no good. Slowly, I watched her just slip away to a world of drugs and bad people."

He sits up and leans toward me, making my heart instantly flutter. "I promise I won't lead you down a bad path."

I inhale a shaky breath as he moves closer to me, kissing me softly.

Before I know it, he pulls back, giving me just a soft peck, then going back to his position, leaning against the door.

I grin as I narrow my eyes. "Is that your version of a pinkie promise? Instead of locking fingers, it's a kiss promise?"

He laughs out loud. "Now, you sound like Ava. But I do like that. It's our own version of a pinkie promise."

My face flushes as I take in what he's saying. I've never met a guy to be so forward with no bullshit. He's obviously into me and not trying to hide it one bit.

I raise my eyebrows, holding up my finger to him. "I'm going to remember that. Nobody ever breaks a pinkie promise."

"You have my word. And what is a man without his word?"

"Now, that sounds like something my grandpa would say."

"Then, he's a good man. It's the truth."

Time flies by as our conversation flows so naturally. My cheeks are hurting from how much he's made me laugh too. I feel so comfortable, sitting here with him, doing absolutely nothing but getting to know each other.

I have no clue what time it is when his phone rings. He reaches for it, then opens his eyes up wide.

"It's two a.m." He shows me the phone that's also flashing Mom across the screen.

I cover my mouth, giggling to myself as he swipes to answer the call.

"Hi, Mom."

I can hear her speaking, but can't make out what she's saying fully.

"No, I'm not at Ben's," he replies. "I'm still on my date with Liza in Mason Creek."

Whatever she says obviously makes him happy because a huge grin grows across his face.

"Yeah, sorry. We just lost track of time, sitting in my truck in front of her house. I'll head home soon." He pauses while she says something. "Okay. Love you too."

He hangs up and looks at me. "She wants to meet you."

"Well, I'd love to meet her too. So, I take it, there's a second date in our future?" I tease.

He sits up, placing one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the back of the seat, and raises himself so he's towering over me. "Oh, there's going to be a second date, a third, and a fourth." He stops to look in my eyes. "You can just consider your summer booked from here on out—when I'm in town, I mean."

I don't get to ask what he means by that because his lips crash into mine in a kiss so passionate that I feel it in my toes. I place my hands on either side of his face as he repositions himself to be closer to me.

It's a really good thing there's an entire center console between us, or I'd be on my back in two seconds flat, letting him do whatever he damn well pleased with me.

He pulls back from the kiss and places his forehead on mine. "That is, if it's okay with you."

I let out a loud laugh as he opens his door and races around to my side of the truck. He opens the passenger door and places his hand out for me to grab as I exit.

I step to the side for him to close the door, and he swoops in, picking me up with a quickness. I wrap my legs around his large frame, feeling so tiny compared to him.

"I need to make sure that kiss promise was sealed for certainty," he says right before he kisses me again.

Everything about him feels so right as I sit, wrapped around him and kissing him without a care in the world.

When he starts to put me down, I want to whimper at the loss I feel, but try my hardest not to show it.

"I'll call you tomorrow," he says as he steps away and heads back to the driver's side.

I stand there in absolute awe of the night I've had, of the guy he is, and I can't help but think this is all too good to be true. I've only been here for one week. How is it possible that I met this amazing guy, especially the way I did?!

He hops in the truck and cranks the engine, then rolls down the window. "I'm not going to leave until you're safe in that house," he says with a bit of a chuckle, making me blush.

"Bye," I reply as I head up the walkway to the house.

When I open the door, I turn to wave goodbye, and my entire heart melts when he holds up his pinkie and kisses it.

I think I've died and gone to boy heaven.