Page 35

After getting dressed, I can hear his truck pull into the driveway to begin our day at the lake.

He’s revving the loud engine, his signal that he’s ready to go.

I jump off of my bed and head for the door, double checking myself in the mirror. My nose has a light pink tint from yesterday’s outing.

We went reading in the park and we both forgot to pack sunscreen. We traded books. I picked one for him and him for me. Although I didn’t get past page three—I was too focused on watching him. I can’t seem to ever fully focus when he’s around.

I’m have on a pink crop top with black jean shorts today. The summer has brought out a level of confidence I didn’t know I had. It’s pretty easy when you have a guy gushing over you everyday.

Sean starts honking, getting impatient.

I run out of my room, past my two dogs, and yell at my dad that I’m leaving.

“Be safe. Have fun,” Dad replies as he walks out of his room, looking down at his phone.

“No promises!” I scream as I shut the door behind me.

I skip toward Sean's truck. I can barely see his face through the windshield with the sun shining directly onto it.

I hop in with help from the handle at the top of the door. His truck smells like men’s cologne, sandalwood with an undertone of vanilla. My favorite smell because it’s Sean.

“Billie, you look stunning.”

He has one hand on the steering wheel, with his head rested against the back of his seat. He tilts his face down in awe, with his sunglasses falling off of his nose.

I can feel my cheeks flush.

“Gosh, I just love you,” he breathes out.

Every part of my face falls—my eyebrows crease. My hearts races a million miles a minute.

What did he just say?

My mouth is sewn shut and my eyes are holding his, unable to move. How do I respond to that?

The answer is, I can’t. Of course I love him. I think I’ve always loved him. But I can’t get the words to come out of my mouth.

Right as I’m starting to form any thoughts, he smiles. That stupidly perfect Sean smile. He is the only person I know that would keep a grin on his face even when someone is letting him down.

He never questions why I don’t give in. I guess you could say that’s real love. Being able to tell someone you love them and not have to hear it back.

“Seriously, gorgeous,” he compliments again, his unsaid way of letting me off the hook.

And I ironically love him for it.

Finally, I open my mouth and say, “You’re not too bad yourself,” I sigh.

The seat is scorching as I rest my bare legs on them. I hate that about summer, burning your thighs off.

Sean leans over the console and places his face so close to me, that I can feel his breath on my neck.

I could easily have his lips on mine.

He does this kind of thing on purpose to get me flustered, I just know it. It’s his own little game. I look down at his lips, waiting for him to say something else.

“I missed you,” he whispers innocently.

I realize I’m holding my breath. We were together yesterday, but I missed him too. I always do.