In Every Way

by Amy Sparling

  He’s wearing a spritz of cologne tonight, and the scent is even sexier than his normal coconut shampoo smell.

  I pause before climbing inside his truck, and lean forward, kissing him quickly. His hand wraps around my waist and tugs me close as he deepens the kiss. I pull away after a few seconds to catch my breath. “If we start this, we might as well cancel the date right now.”

  His eyes sparkle in the moonlight. “Now that’s an idea . . .”

  I playfully punch him in the chest. “I went through the effort of straightening my hair and putting on lip gloss for this date, so I’m not about to let it get ruined by making out before the date’s even begun.”

  He chuckles, and runs a hand through my hair, letting it slide through his fingers. “I’d hate to mess up this pretty hair,” he says, his voice low and gravely. “I’ll wait until the date is over to get it all tangled up.”

  Chills prickle down my neck and heat rises in my belly and the mere thought of making out with him later. I take a deep breath and climb into his truck.

  “I can’t believe you talked to my grandma that long,” I say, shaking my head as I relive the moment from a few minutes ago. I’d been getting ready, watching the clock, and wondering why Josh was five minutes late. Then I heard Grandma’s big belly laugh and realized he was already here. He’d been chatting with her the whole time.

  “She’s cool,” Josh says, his eyes fliting to me while he drives to our mysterious date location. “She really loves you a lot.”

  “Don’t most grandmothers love their grandkids?” I say.

  He nods. “I guess you’re right. Still, she’s really nice.”

  “I think you impressed her,” I say as I watch the road carefully, trying to guess where he’s taking me.

  “Think she likes me better than your old boyfriends?”

  It’s a simple enough question, but my answer lodges in my throat. Josh looks over at me, frowning. “Bad question?”

  I shrug. “No, it’s just. Well, I’ve never really had a boyfriend. Not, you know, technically.”

  Heat burns my cheeks at the confession and I am totally sure he’s going to slam on the brakes, turn around, and drop me off at home because dating a virgin loser like me is just too much for him.

  Instead, he tilts his head and watches me with an expression I can’t quite place. “That makes me feel really special,” he says after a moment of long, awkward silence.

  I smile, and he reaches over and grabs my knee, his hand warm and strong as he squeezes it affectionately. I put my hand on top of his, letting my fingers slide between his until we’re holding hands in this backward kind of way.

  “We’re here,” Josh says a few minutes later.

  “The beach?” I say, terror filling my veins. He told me to dress casual, not to wear a bathing suit. What if he wants to go swimming or something equally horrific?

  “Kind of,” he says, pulling into a parking spot and cutting the engine. He wiggles his eyebrows at me in this goofy way because he knows something I don’t. “Let’s go.”

  Josh pulls an ice chest and a backpack from the bed of his truck, and we walk toward a part of the beach I’ve never been to. It’s the private end of Blue Beach, where all the beach houses line up along the shore.

  When we reach a metal gate separating the public from the private, he punches in a gate code and the metal bars swing open, allowing us access.

  Josh leads me down the sand to a beautiful beach house in pastel blue. “This is my parent’s vacation house,” he explains as he unlocks another gate that leads to the house’s back yard, complete with private swimming pool that overlooks the beach.

  I gasp as I take in the sight that he’s planned for us, my eyes instantly filling with tears. I blink a few times to make them go away. No need to cry in front of him on our first official date. The back patio is lit up with clear lights strung everywhere, making a canopy of sparkling beauty above us. Candles are lit on the table, which is set for two with gorgeous purple linen and a centerpiece of white roses.

  “These are for you,” Josh says, gesturing to the flowers.

  I lean forward and smell them, a grin lighting up my whole face. He pulls out one of the chairs for me, so I sit and try not to choke up at how sweet this whole thing is. Josh takes out the contents of his ice chest—dinner from an Italian restaurant and a bottle of wine, and sets up the meal for us.

  “I figured since we met on the beach, our first date should be on the beach,” he explains as he sets out two wine glasses and pours the white wine. He grins. “I even brought a football if you want to seek revenge on me after dinner.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” I say. “I think you’ve more than made up for that accident.”

  We eat dinner, and even though I thought I’d never be able to eat in front of a guy, it’s not so bad, especially since we spend most of our time talking, laughing, and watching the sun set behind the gorgeous ocean view.

  “This was really great,” I tell him after dinner, when we’re sitting at the edge of the pool, our feet splashing in the water.

  “It’s not over yet.” Josh checks the time on his cell phone. “I have a surprise for you, and it should be here any minute.”

  I lift an eyebrow, but he just grins and wraps an arm around my shoulders.

  A few minutes later, the side gate opens and a thin girl with dirty blond hair lets herself in. I recognize her as Abigail, Josh’s little sister. She’s carrying an old fashioned picnic basket, the kind with a little wooden lid on hinges.

  “Everything work out okay?” Josh asks as he rushes over to relieve her of the basket. I’m a little confused, because we already ate dinner.

  Abigail waves at me over Josh’s shoulder. “Nice to meet you,” she says.

  “You too,” I say back, but Josh shushes his sister.

  “You have to go before the surprise is ruined,” he says, giving her a quick hug while he holds the basket out to the side. “But thanks, Abigail. I appreciate it.”

  “Anything for love,” she says, throwing me a wink before she disappears through the gate.

  “We already ate dinner,” I say, standing up and moving away from the pool’s edge.

  “This isn’t dinner,” Josh says, his eyes filled with excitement.

  “Then what is it?”

  He holds the basket out to me. “It’s your surprise.”

  Chapter 29

  This is it, the moment of truth. Bess will either love the surprise or possibly hate me for it. Like I’ve said, I’m not exactly the most romantic guy ever. A candlelit dinner while watching the sun set is romantic though, at least according to my mom and sister who listened to my entire date idea with eager eyes when I told them about it. They said the dinner would be a hit, no doubt. And so far, it has been. Bess and I are a little tipsy on the wine, but not drunk. It was just enough to loosen us up and melt away the awkwardness of a first date.

  Now I hope my surprise makes her happy.

  I hold out the basket, which wobbles in my hand. Bess eyes it curiously, like maybe it’ll bite her or something.

  “Open it,” I say. “I spent hours trying to think of a way to make our first date special and memorable. I really hope you like it.”

  “You mean it’s a gift? Not food?” she says, holding the basket out from her side.

  I nod. “The basket was Abigail’s idea. The surprise inside it was mine.” The anticipation is killing me. I lean over and kiss her forehead and resist the urge to tell her to hurry up and open the damn thing.

  Carefully, with furrowed brows and a look like she doesn’t quite trust me, Bess opens the lid of the basket.

  A tiny little six-week old kitten meows up at her.

  “Oh my God,” she says, tears falling instantly. She drops to her knees on the patio, setting the basket down gingerly. The kitten walks to the edge of the basket and puts her paws up on the rim.

  “Oh my God, Josh.” Bess covers her mouth with her hands while tear
s spill over her eyelashes. But underneath it, she’s smiling as she gazes up at me. “You got me a kitten?”

  I sit down next to her, a bundle of nerves and anxiety twisting up in my chest. “Do you like her?”

  Bess scoops up the little fur ball and holds it close to her chest. The kitten was the prettiest one in the shelter, solid grey with bright blue eyes. It meows and snuggles against her hands.

  “I love her,” Bess says. She tilts her lips up to mine and I kiss her, then I move to sit next to her and rest my chin on her shoulder while she plays with the kitten.

  “She has toys, food, and water in the basket too,” I say, lifting the other side of the lid. Abigail did an excellent job of packing everything in neatly, and the little water bowl has a lid over it for the journey. I pull off the lid, but I don’t think the kitten will be drinking anytime soon, because she seems very content to be curled up with Bess.

  “Thank you,” Bess chokes out. Her voice is all muddled from the happy tears. I brush her hair behind hear ears and wipe off a tear with my thumb.

  “I know you missed Missy a lot,” I say, running my finger over the kitten’s fluffy head. “And you said you were too sad to pick out a new kitten, so I thought I’d save you the heartache and bring one to you.”

  “She’s perfect,” Bess says, leaning her head against my chest. In the distance, waves crash onto the shore and the sun’s golden rays cast a romantic glow over a wonderful evening.

  “She’s had her shots and everything,” I say while Bess continues to cuddle and whisper to the cat. “And I asked your grandma about it and she gave me the okay.”

  “You did what?” she says, looking up at me with wide eyes.

  I shrug. “I didn’t want to get you in trouble.”

  She sighs, sinking back against my chest. “You’re the greatest guy ever.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you since the day we met,” I say, and it makes her laugh. “Have you picked out a name?”

  Bess holds up the kitten, its gray fur so fluffy it nearly covers her hand completely. “Blue. Because of her eyes, and the beach.”

  “Blue,” I say, trying out the name on my tongue. “That’s a perfect name.”

  “I love you,” she whispers to the kitten before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. After a few minutes of playing, Blue tires herself out and falls asleep in Bess’s arms. She carefully puts her back onto the pillow at the bottom of the basket, which we move to the inside of the beach house, setting it on the rug in the living room.

  I settle on the couch and watch Bess croon over the kitten. When she’s satisfied that Blue will be asleep for a while, she joins me on the couch.

  “I can’t think of a better date,” she says, twisting her fingers into mine.

  I kiss her, letting my tongue part her lips, gliding across her cupcake flavored lip gloss. “I can,” I whisper against her mouth.

  Her eyes flash with this seductive look that turns me on faster than a kiss ever could. She moves onto my lap, straddling me on the couch.

  “You sure you wanna make out in front of Blue?” I say against her lips.

  “She’s asleep,” she whispers back, her hands roaming down my chest. She grinds against me, sliding her hands around my neck. I groan in pleasure as her perfect boobs press against me while we kiss.

  “Well then,” I say, letting my hands grab onto her ass while we make out. “Let’s have some fun.”

  Chapter 30

  The last two weeks have been like a fairy tale. I never thought I’d compare myself to a princess, but it’s true. I have a real life prince charming, and he’s romantic and caring and never misses sending me a good night text.

  Even though I spent years hating myself for being hopelessly single, I’m really glad I didn’t get a boyfriend until now, when I’m older and about to head into college. I was able to bypass all of the drama from high school and skip right over years of heartache. Of course, that doesn’t mean I might one day get my heart broken, but Josh has promised me that he wants to go into this thing as adults who talk to each other, who don’t keep secrets, and who always try to work things out.

  I’m sure there will be a fight or an argument in the future, but for now, we are two people on cloud nine, the puppy love phase securely in place.

  The doorbell rings, but I don’t bother capping my mascara and rushing to answer it because Grandma is home. One thing I’ve learned in the last two weeks is that Grandma and Josh can talk forever. It’s made us more than late to a couple of movie dates so far.

  I hear her let him inside, and she comments on his shirt, which is apparently very handsome on him.

  I grin as I apply my makeup. It’s the first time since our first date that I’ve bothered going through all this getting pretty routine stuff, but tonight is special. Maddie is having a party at her house, which is basically a mansion complete with housekeepers and a chef, and I know there will be tons of pictures taken of the event. So I need to look good.

  Of course, with Josh by my side, I always have this goofy grin of lovesickness on my face, so it’s kind of impossible to look like anything else.

  “Hey, beautiful.” Josh enters my room and flops down on my bed.

  “That was quick,” I say. “Usually ya’ll talk forever.”

  “Grandma had brownies in the oven, and the timer went off so I snuck in to see you,” he says with a wink. Yes, he calls her Grandma now, but because she’s insisted that he do so.

  “Looks like Blue is comfortable,” he says, pointing to my kitten. She’s curled up in my lap while I sit at my vanity.

  I stroke her head and she purrs. “Every time I sit down she’ll hop up in my lap and go to sleep.”

  “She adores you,” Josh says.

  “And I adore her.” I dab some powder over my foundation. “I’m all ready. Wanna go?”

  He gives me this exaggerated frown. “But the brownies are almost ready. Can’t we stay and eat some?”

  I roll my eyes. After telling Maddie about my dieting plan, she yelled at me for going about it all the wrong way. Now we’re both using this calorie counting app and eating 1350 calories a day for healthy weight loss, even though Josh keeps saying it’s pointless because I don’t need it. Of course, as an excellent boyfriend, I guess it’s his job to say those things.

  Regardless, I know I have some calories to spare, and I just can’t say no to that face. “Fine,” I say, pointing at him while I pretend to be serious. “One brownie. And then we’re going.”

  “Deal,” he says, hopping off my bed. He kisses the top of my head and then sprints out of my room to go get himself a brownie.

  I chuckle as I get up and set Blue down on my bed in her favorite spot near my pillow. Josh is a dork, but he’s my dork.

  ***

  Maddie’s pool is filled with blow up floaties in colorful shapes and designs. Her little sisters are playing on a gigantic blow up donut and one that’s shaped like a popsicle. This is a small party, with only a few of Maddie’s friends, which is great because it’s helping me slowly get used to being in this group of people who were practically royalty in high school. Of course now that we’re graduated, everything is different. I’m accepted into groups that would have shunned me back then. And things that felt like a big deal in school aren’t even a small deal now. It’s nice being out of school.

  “Hey girl!” Maddie says when Josh and I arrive. She gives me a quick hug, her hair smelling like dye.

  “I like the new hair,” I say, nodding in approval at her new style. She’d dyed over the pink she’d had earlier in the year, but now it has highlights.

  “It’s supposedly a natural highlight,” she says with a shrug. “I kind of wanted to go back to pink, but we’re legal adults and all that, so I figured I’d get a more mature hair style.”

  Her boyfriend Colby fist bumps Josh in a hello before saying, “If she’s so grown up and mature now, why did she assault me with a water gun just five minutes ago?”
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  Maddie playfully punches him in the arm. “I was being super mature, for your information. I could have just thrown you in the pool, but instead I showed restraint.”

  They laugh and pick on each other and then get all swoony-eyed and start kissing.

  I look over and Josh and he rolls his eyes. “It’s a good thing we started dating,” he says, pulling me up against him. “Otherwise, we’d go crazy being around these lovesick fools.”

  “That’s for sure,” I say, hooking my hands around his neck. “I’ve never been to a party like this. I kind of like hanging out in your world.”

  “It’s our world now, babe,” Josh says, kissing me.

  The embrace only lasts a couple of seconds before I hear a loud, “Eww!” and we both look down to see Maddie’s little sister Emma staring up at us, a grimace on her face. “You are just like Maddie and Colby!” she says.

  “Emma,” Maddie says while she bends down to her sister’s eye level. “One day you’ll want to kiss someone, too.”

  Emma shakes her head like the mere thought of it is the grossest thing ever. “No, that’s gross!”

  We all laugh. Maddie’s mom is in the pool and she calls the girl over to her, saying she should let the older kids play for a while. I’m guessing that means we are the “older kids” in Emma’s eyes, which is ironic after we just had a conversation about how we’re adults now.

  “Okay, I know it’s hot and everything,” Maddie says, watching her sister dive into the pool and into her mother’s arms, “But there’s no way I’d want to go swimming tonight. My hair looks too damn good for that.”

  I’m pretty sure Maddie is saying that for my benefit, and I’m grateful. She knows all of my insecurities about my body, and even though Josh loves feeling me up and tells me stupid things like I’m beautiful on a daily basis, I’m still not ready to bare myself in a bathing suit around him. Maddie knows this, so when she planned the party, she made sure to say that swimming wasn’t the highlight of the night.