Chapter 23 I Will Change That
Ryland
Gracie and I have been driving for three hours, and I have been the one doing most of the talking. She honestly needs to start talking more. There are only so many questions I can ask. There are only so many one-word answers a person can take. I will get her to come out of her shell.
We arrive in a small town, one which neither of us seemed to have caught the name of. It is one of those small towns you see in romantic movies. Not like I watch romantic movies, but I know how they work.
“How about here? We can find somewhere to eat and then go exploring. We can even book into the motel we passed a little while ago if you don’t want to go home?”
Gracie smiles. “Here is fine.”
She avoids my other question about booking the motel. I will ask again, later. If she doesn’t want to go home, then why not? I have money anyway, even if she doesn’t. I don’t mind paying if it means I can have her all to myself, and she doesn’t have to go home.
I find a parking spot and pull into it. We climb out and search for somewhere to tear. It is teatime now, anyway. I text my mom to let I know I won’t be home until later or not at all. She wasn’t pleased, but she knows me by now. Besides, she can’t complain; I always let her know when I am staying out or what I am up to, even if she doesn’t approve. If I wanted to be a complete ass and make her worry, I wouldn’t tell her at all. I am sure she would prefer to know I am safe no matter where I am.
We come across a diner. That would do. A burger and fries sound good to me. Gracie seems happy enough with the place, too. There are only a few people in it, but the moment we entered, we were greeted with a friendly smile.
“Just sit wherever you like.” The waitress smiles from behind the counter.
We smile back, nod and take one of the booths by the window.
“What do you fancy? I have already decided,” I laugh.
“That was quick.”
“Yes, a simple burger and fries. You can go wrong with that.” I smile.
“Hmm, that sounds good. I have the same, but with curly fries rather than normal fries.”
“Hmm, that sounds good. I may have that too,” she smiled, “But curly fries,” she added.
“You can have whatever you like, brown eyes,” I smile.
Gracie rolls her eyes. She doesn’t seem to like it when I call her brown eyes all the time. I like it, though. I will continue to call her by it more than her actual name. I can’t help myself. Gracie has the most gorgeous brown eyes. She doesn’t get a chance to complain about it, though, because the waitress comes over.
“Hello, can I get you both a drink while you decide what you want?” she smiles.
“We have already decided. I will have a cheeseburger with fries and a Coke. My date will have a cheeseburger, curly fries, and I don’t know what to drink.” I say, looking over at Gracie.
I know it isn’t a date, but I couldn’t help myself saying it.
Gracie blushes. “I will have a Coke too, please.”
She notes down her orders and leaves. I can feel Gracie’s eyes burn into me. I look up at her and smirk. “Yes?” I ask innocently.
“Your date? This is not a date. I don’t date, remember.” She replies, rolling her eyes, laughing.
The smirk on my lips stays put. “Not yet, you don’t. I can be very convincing and change people’s minds easily, you wait and see.” Each word is said with confidence.
Gracie shakes her head, her face bright red. I can’t help but look a little smug because I enjoy making her blush. It is fun for me. She doesn’t say anything else and turns to look out of the window. I plan to make her blush many more times before the night is up, and hopefully, I will get another kiss. The kiss we shared last night is still on my mind. I swear my lips tingle even at the thought of it. Her lips are so soft and warm. They feel so good against mine.
Gracie wants the same things, but it just isn’t as easy for her to admit it. She needs time to adjust, because if she doesn’t date, the things she is feeling right now won’t be familiar to her. Everything will be new to her. I know I need to be careful with her. She isn’t like other girls. I don’t want to push her on anything.