Chapter 66

“Mom,we’ve got to go,”Jeff insisted as he headed to the door.

“I’ve got one more thing.”She smiled and went into the kitchen.

We both groaned.We’d never get out of the house.

Judy returned with an envelope.I froze when she laid it in my hands.Was this what I thought it was?Surely,the college wouldn’t answer so quickly.But there it was—the college logo and name printed on the envelope.I shot a look of disbelief at Jeff.

“Aren’t you going to open it?”Judy asked.

Dread filled my chest.“It can’t be good news to get this so soon.”

She sighed.“Don’t think like that.Just open it.”

Knowing better than to argue with her,I ripped it open and unfolded the letter.Jeff peered over my shoulder.The words floated in front of me.Was I seeing this right?Had I been accepted?

Jeff’s fist shot in the air.“Woo-hoo!”

I had beenaccepted.I’d be going to college with Jeff.Tears filled my eyes again and I wiped them away with my hand.

“How could this happen so quickly?I didn’t think I’d hear until after graduation.”

Judy laughed.“Sometimes it’s good to know someone who works at the college.”

My jaw dropped.

She laughed and shook her head.“All I did was make a call and explain the situation and wondered if there was any way to put a rush on it.My friend must have presented a convincing argument,because lo and behold,you got your letter.”

Dumbfounded,I stayed rooted to the ground.She took the letter from my hand.“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.You guys go have fun.”

Jeff guided me outside to the truck.As I clicked my seatbelt in place,he gripped my shoulder.“This is so fucking awesome!”

His excitement cut through my fog.I looked at him in awe.“Shit!We’re going to college together!”

He laughed.“Best day ever.”

I had to agree with him.

“You ready for tonight?”he inquired,his voice growing quiet.

I stared into those blue eyes and a sudden shot of desire coursed through me.I licked my dry lips.“Are you?”

His eyes flashed and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.“I’ve been ready forever,”he whispered,his hot breath gliding over my skin.I trembled as he pulled back and put the truck in gear.

My stomach growled into the silence.“Where are we going for dinner?A drive-thru?”

He shot me a horrified look.“On our first date?I’ve got some surprises for you.”

I grinned.“Like what?”

He shook his head.“That’s why it’s called a surprise.Shit,you’ve never been good at being patient.”

I chuckled.I hated not knowing things.

He gave me a sidelong glance as he pulled out onto the highway,then set his hand on my leg.The heat from his touch spread rapidly and I was rock-hard in seconds.I wondered what he’d think if I slid my hand across his fly.I itched to do it,but with great Herculean force,I managed to keep myself in check.We’d have time when we got back home.Jeff had been excited about prom and obviously had things planned out,so I didn’t want to jump the gun and ruin those plans.

It surprised me when we pulled in front of Red Lobster.I twirled around in my seat.“I love this place!”

He rolled his eyes.“Why do you think we’re here?”

I gave him a light punch to the arm.“Hey,we’re dating now,you can’t roll your eyes at me!”

Jeff laughed and reached for my hand.“Yes,we’re dating.”His smile faltered and his eyes pinned mine.His hand trembled.“Are you still…glad…we’re dating?”

“Very glad,Jeff.”I squeezed his hand.“More than glad.It’s like we’ve been traveling toward this for years.”

Even as he pulled into a space and other customers headed into the restaurant,it felt as if we were the only two people in the world.

He put the truck in park.“I’ve wanted this for so long…and I worry…”His gaze flicked to the windshield,then returned to me.Heat uncoiled in my belly,sending it coursing through my veins.“I just want to be sure you’re happy.That you want to be with me and it’s not because you’ve been through so much recently.”

“You think I’m using you?That I needed a place to stay and someone to support me through this time of my life?”My voice rose with each word and my heart thundered in my ears.How could he think that?

“Aaron,I didn’t mean it like that.I swear.I’d never accuse you of using me.You’d never use anyone.”

My brow furrowed.“Then,what?I don’t understand.”

He blew out a hard breath that fluttered across my cheek.“I’m not saying this right.I just mean I want to make sure I did the right thing.That I’m not taking advantage of you during a…vulnerable time.”He hung his head.

I fought the urge to run my fingers through his silky tresses falling forward.“Look at me,Jeff.”

When his eyes met mine,I saw his fear.

“How long have you been worried about this?”I asked gently.

“A while.I’ve wanted you for so long,and then when your dad…and your mom went into the hospital,I just wanted to be there for you.I didn’t plan any of this.”

I thought about the events that led us to this night and had to admit that,if I looked at things through his eyes,I might’ve wondered the same thing.