by B. N. Hale
“Sure you don’t want to push some boundaries?”
He shook his head and smiled. “You should take this as a compliment. I trust you enough to lay down a short distance from you.”
Her laughter washed across the backyard and she wiggled to get comfortable. Then she looked up at the lights and waited expectantly. He withdrew a remote and pressed a button, and the lights abruptly winked out.
She sucked in her breath as they were plunged into darkness, and blinked repeatedly to get her vision back. As the lights faded the stars appeared like diamonds on velvet, twinkling in the moonless sky.
“So we’re going to watch the stars?” she asked.
“Not exactly,” he said. “You mom said you’ve never seen a shooting star.”
“So?” she asked.
“So,” he said, gesturing to the wide expanse of the sky. “I hope you enjoy your first meteor shower.”
A chill swept across her skin as she turned back to the sky, her breathing accelerating as she gazed upon the infinite expanse. With no cloud to mar the view, the millions of stars became the show, and with each passing second her heart thumped faster. Then a streak of light flew across the sky, brief yet stunningly beautiful.
“Make a wish,” he murmured.
Chapter 5
She clapped her hands in delight as she watched another meteor streak across the sky. The sight of a celestial object elicited a sense of wonder and excitement, drawing another shout when one appeared from another angle.
“This is incredible,” she said.
“It always is,” he said.
‘You’ve done a meteor shower with someone else?”
“Will you stop comparing your dates with others?” he asked, his voice amused. “I promise I will never repeat anything I’ve ever done with another girl.”
“Was that so hard to say?” she asked.
“Not really,” he said. “You’ve thrown down a challenge, and I find my previous dates just don’t meet the same standard.”
“I still think I can win.”
“Not after tonight,” he said.
She wanted to disagree, but another meteor appeared. “Don’t get comfortable with your lead,” she said.
She could almost hear his smile but he didn’t respond, and for several minutes they just watched the sky. After the initial burst of meteors nothing appeared, but she was in no hurry. In that moment it was just her with Reed, gazing up on a magical sky. When another meteor appeared she released a sigh.
“I’ve always wanted to see one,” she said.
“That’s what your mother said.”
“How did you know to ask her?” Kate asked.
“You’d be surprised how many people haven’t seen a shooting star,” Reed said. “It was a gamble, but moms usually know.”
Kate shot him a look. “You’ve called other moms?”
“Only those I know best,” he said. “I avoid it because it builds a certain expectation.”
“I almost saw a meteor shower in August a few years ago, but it was cloudy,” she said.
“The Perseids,” he said, nodding. “They’re one of the best. This is the Lyrids.”
“Are there usually this many?” she asked, pointing to one appearing to the east.
“Actually, this isn’t the ideal night for the Lyrids,” he said. “But it was the only night that the forecast said would be clear. Sunday would be the best.”
“I’m running out of wishes,” she said, as another shooting star appeared and flared to life.
“Tell me one of them.”
“That means it won’t come true.”
“You can always re-wish it,” he said.
She hesitated, and then decided he was right. “I wished for a new computer.”
“I wished for my car to survive.”
“I think it’s already dead,” she said with a laugh.
“It’s still moving,” he protested.
“Like a zombie,” she said, “and about as fast.”
Another star appeared and lasted the longest yet, eliciting a murmur from both of them. A pair of meteors followed in quick succession, and for several seconds they just enjoyed the show. When another lull came he chuckled.
“I wished for a job after I graduate.”
“When do you graduate?”
“The end of this year,” he said.
“Then what?”
“One of my old professors took a job in New York. Their practice is quite prestigious and they take a few paid internships each year. With his recommendation I was accepted.”
“You never told me what type of psychology you’re interested in.”
“Can’t you guess?” he asked. “Marriage and family.”
She burst into a laugh. “Going to teach husbands to date their wives?”
“It’s what my thesis is on,” he said.
“Really?” She threw him a glance and then returned her eyes to the sky, unwilling to miss another star.
“Jackson and a few friends agreed to be case studies,” he said. “I planned their dates and they told me the impact.”
“And?”
“Too early to tell,” he said. “I just started, but Shelby has thanked me profusely.”
She smiled at the image of Jackson executing a creative date. She wondered if the creative dating would have a lasting impact on their relationship or would it flare and fade like the shooting stars.
“Do you think he will continue to do creative dating?”
“Not to this extent,” he said, “but he doesn’t do bar dates anymore.”
“How much of that is Shelby’s influence?” she guessed.
“A lot,” he said, his tone amused. “She told me in one of our interviews that he’d upped his game, and she wouldn’t let him go back to the minors.”
“She deserves it,” Kate said with an approving nod. “I’ve gotten to know her a little and she’s great.”
A trio of meteors appeared and disappeared, and they fell silent, both awed by the heavenly display. More flashed across the night sky, the sight eliciting a deep yearning within Kate. On impulse she said what she’d really wished for.
“I wished this night would never end.”
“Why?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked softly.
He didn’t answer, and she stole a look. When they’d first laid down his hands had been on his chest, well clear of her, but now his hand was close to hers. She swallowed, recognizing it as a tiny push against his boundaries. As casually as she could, she laid her hand down on the blanket a short distance from his.
The space between them was just inches, but it sent tingles up her hand. She swallowed, wondering if this was the moment—hoping this was the moment. She saw a shooting star and wished for his hand to close the gap.
“I’ve never enjoyed a night so much,” he murmured.
“Is it me or the date?” she asked.
“Both,” he admitted.
She glanced at his hand. Was it closer? Or was it just her imagination? She couldn’t be sure, and almost missed the next meteor. She swallowed at the sudden dryness of her throat, wondering why she was so nervous. The last time she could recall feeling so desperate to hold a boy’s hand was Jimmy Bell in the fifth grade. But Jimmy wasn’t nearly as attractive.
Highly conscious of the feel of the fabric beneath her fingers, she drifted her pinky closer. Their hands were now so close she could feel the heat from his hand, and imagined his palm wrapping around hers, of the lightning it would send up her arm. Just then a flurry of meteors burst across the sky as if the heavens anticipated this very moment. Gathering her courage, she tensed her muscles and . . .
Her phone rang, the sound so jarring they both jumped. She fumbled for her phone and pulled it from her pocket, silencing it without looking at the caller. It could have been the president and she wouldn’t have cared.
She laughed at being startled. “Sorry,” she said.
“No ne
ed to apologize,” he said. “I took my phone out already because I nearly fell in the pool when I was building the island.”
He rapped the island with his knuckles to emphasize his point . . . and returned his hand to his chest. She winced and looked away, unable to keep her disappointment from her face. Had it all been her imagination? Or had he come a hairsbreadth from breaking his rule?
“Ready for the dessert?” he asked.
Forcing a smile, she turned to him. “What’s for dessert?”
He rose to his feet and she did as well. “Italian Gelato,” he said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He smiled and strode up to the back door of the neighbor’s house. The moment he was gone she turned away and released a muttered curse. Her disappointment turned to anger at her phone, so she pulled it from her pocket and turned it to silent before stuffing it into her purse. Even though she doubted another opportunity would arise tonight, she couldn’t risk it.
Reed appeared and walked to her with two bowls in his hand. It seemed to her that he walked slowly, as if giving them time apart. He stepped onto the bridge and strode to her.
“Raspberry or—”
In the darkness his foot caught on the edge of the padding and he tripped. The bowls went flying past her and she instinctively reached to catch his hand, but in her haste she stepped too close to the edge of the island. She caught his arm. She didn’t catch her footing. She cried out as she pulled Reed into the pool.
Chapter 6
They plunged into the freezing water and went under. It was the shallow end and she twisted to come to the surface, bringing her head above water and gasping for breath. It was April in Colorado in an unheated pool, and the cold pierced her clothing like a thousand frozen needles.
“I’m sorry!” she chattered. “I didn’t mean to pull you in!”
Shaking a few feet away, he grinned. “I’m sorry for lying.”
“When did you lie?” she asked, pushing her way to the edge of the pool.
“I said we weren’t going swimming.”
Freezing, shaking, and desperate to leave the pool, she burst into laughter. He reached the edge first and pulled himself out. Then he helped her to the edge. Shaking and wrapping her arms around her chest, she followed him back to his house.
“You need to get out of those wet clothes,” he said, his teeth chattering.
“You might take advantage of me,” she said through chattering teeth.
He managed a laugh and led her into the bathroom, where he turned on the water and put a towel on the sink. She stood in the center of the bathroom, shivering and dripping wet, but unable to remove the crazy grin on her face.
“Straight to the shower?” she asked. “No cuddling?”
He grinned. “Not today. I’ll find a bag for your wet clothes.”
“What about you?” she asked, her whole body shaking.
“I’ll dry off and change,” he said, his smile marred by his own shivering. “Take your time.”
He exited and shut the door, and she quickly stripped and stepped into the shower. The blissfully hot water coursed over her body, gradually taking the sting from the pool. She stayed until steam filled the shower and the heat seeped into her frozen bones, and then reluctantly exited and dried off. Just as she finished wrapping the towel around herself there was a knock.
“I’ve got the sack for your clothes.”
“Come in,” she said brightly.
“Are you covered?” he asked suspiciously.
“You’ll just have to trust me,” she said.
He swung the door open and extended an arm with a sack. She reached out and pulled the door open, revealing Reed in new clothes, a coat, and a beanie. He also had his other hand covering his eyes. She grabbed the sack.
“I’m covered,” she said.
Apparently deciding to trust her, he peeked an eye open and then smiled at her in the towel. “Better?”
“Much,” she said, withdrawing clothes from the bag, which proved to be pants, a thick thermal shirt, and a belt.
“Jackson didn’t have a bra?” she asked.
“I’m afraid his wouldn’t fit,” he said.
She laughed and gestured to the door. “I’ll be out in a moment.”
She shut the door and then dressed in his clothes. She had to cinch the belt to keep the pants from dropping, but at least she was warm and dry. Rubbing the towel through her hair, she stepped into the living room to find him sitting on the couch under a blanket.
“I was still cold,” he admitted.
She stepped to the couch and he lifted the blanket so she could slide under. Wiggling to a spot at his side, she shivered beneath the heavy quilt. Although the shower had taken the sting, the chill remained.
“Do you think you can break your rule for the sake of warming me up?” she asked.
“Just this once,” he said, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
His motion was careful, but she leaned against him with a grateful sigh. Neither of them spoke, and for several minutes they just enjoyed the return to warmth. She noticed he placed his hand with great care and found herself grateful. She’d been on dates where the guy let his hands wander, and it was a relief not to have to worry about Reed. She relished the sensation of security his arms provided.
The minutes ticked by but he didn’t seem inclined to move, and they talked of stars and the meteor shower. When their hands had almost touched she’d felt a magnetic pull of attraction, but now it was a pure comfort, like being wrapped in the warm blankets they gave you at the hospital. She smiled faintly and closed her eyes. After a while Reed shifted.
“Sorry you didn’t get the dessert,” he murmured.
“I’m not really up for a cold dessert,” she said.
“It’s about time to go,” he said, using his chin to point to the clock. “It’s almost midnight.”
She groaned. “Do I have to go?”
He smiled and shifted, lifting the blanket so they could separate. They pulled away and she exited the warm cocoon to gather her things. As he grabbed his keys and phone, he froze and whirled to face her.
“Your phone!”
“I took it out before we fell in,” she said. “It’s probably still in my purse on the island.”
“Were you planning on dragging me in?”
“What if I was?” she asked as they walked outside.
“I would have worn a swimming suit,” he said.
The partial moon had risen while they were inside but the stars were still bright. With one of Reed’s jackets to ward off the chill, she followed him back to the island. He picked up the bowls and spoons discarded onto the grass and then entered the neighbor’s house. She stepped onto the island and retrieved her purse, turning her gaze to the heavens.
He joined her and rolled up the blankets. Then he stood at her side. As if guessing her intent, he said nothing for several moments, waiting for a final shooting star. She sighed in satisfaction as it burst into life and then faded.
“Thank you,” she said. “Tonight was enchanting.”
“Even the swim?”
“Even the swim.”
They shared a smile and then he walked her back to the car, pausing long enough to leave the roll of blankets in the garage. Then they climbed into the car and he drove her home, arriving just before midnight. He walked her to her door and gave her a hug.
“Your turn,” he said into her ear.
“It will have to be good,” she said.
“I’m confident it will be,” he said, pulling away. “Goodnight, Kate.”
“Goodnight, Reed.”
She watched him walk to his car and then entered the house. When she opened the door a flurry of movement signaled there were several people in the room and she clicked on the light switch. Like deer caught in headlights, the light revealed the blondes trying to escape from where they’d been spying at the window. They looked her up and down, taking in the view of her in his clothes.
> Ember recovered first. “Did you—”
“No,” Kate said. “We fell in the pool.”
“Pool?” Marta asked.
She sank onto the couch and quickly narrated the events of the date. Her story suffered countless interruptions as her friends ahhed over the romantic moments. Her description of them almost holding hands elicited a round of laughter, and when she came to the part where they fell into the pool Brittney was shocked.
“Was he furious you pulled him in?”
Kate cocked her head to the side. “You know, he wasn’t.”
She hadn’t realized it at the time, but he’d responded with humor when he could have easily blamed her for a mistake. Instead he’d eased the tension and reacted quickly under pressure. Marveling at his response, she nearly missed Ember’s next question.
“How did you warm up?”
“I used his shower,” Kate said.
“And he never touched you?” Marta asked. She sounded disappointed.
Kate smiled. “He put his arm around me to help me stay warm.”
Ember folded her arms. “I don’t know if I should be disappointed or happy for you.”
“Happy,” Kate said with certainty. “I really like him.”
Brittney pounced on the statement. “We knew it!”
Kate endured their triumph with a soft smile. Then Brittney offered hot chocolate and they all accepted. Several minutes later Kate sipped the delicious heat, grateful that the warmth in her chest still lingered from his arm around her shoulders.
“Wait,” Brittney said. “When you were about to hold his hand, who called you?”
“I assumed it was one of you,” Kate said.
All three shook their heads in unison, and Kate reached for her purse. Pulling out her phone, she opened it and froze, her eyes fixed on the text message that had followed the call. She didn’t hear her roommates until their queries became more ardent. Then she finally looked up.
“It was Jason,” she said, stumbling over the words. “He’s coming back to Boulder and wants to meet.”
Excerpt from Volume 6
In the week after their island date, Reed wondered if he’d gone too far. Kate had become a dominating presence in his thoughts. He went to class and work, but she was there, her face, their hands almost touching, her smile when they stood in the pool, her in a towel after her shower.