Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Especially when he finishes with the blinds and turns around with a screwdriver in his hand and the most adorably proud grin on his face. “Well? Are you ready for our first real, official date?”
My god, I’ve been sitting on this bed for the past twenty minutes while he put up the blinds, trying not to die of anticipation. My parents are in the living room, reading and watching TV. They know all about Van being here tonight to take me out. They were surprised at first. I hadn’t even told them that he was back. They knew nothing of my former crush, thank goodness. After I did some explaining, they were happy for me.
“I’m so ready.”
After spending a few minutes admiring the blinds that mean so much to me—they’re just blinds, but they’re blinds that Van chose and hung up and took care of after he went through the other set and kind of totally wrecked them—he sweeps me off to his rental car. It’s all leather on the inside and still has that fresh car scent that rentals never really lose because I swear, when they clean the cars, they infuse them with that scent to enhance customer experience. Then, the scent magically lasts until the next cleaning, and the whole cycle starts over again.
Did I mention I’m nervous? I’m so nervous that I’m rambling in my mind.
I have no idea where we’re going, but I dressed conservatively for late-night date night. It’s Friday night, and when I said we should make working on Nanny’s yard our first date, Van refused. He wouldn’t hear of anything so unromantic. I said he could just come over, but then I remembered that my parents, for once, didn’t have any softball obligations. While he would have been on board for it, either way, he wanted to treat me to something special. Something memorable.
Since I have no idea where we’re going or what we’re going to be doing and Van said dressing casual was fine, I went with jeans and a light sweater. The heatwave finally let up, and now we’re back to regular old Seattle summer weather. I’m sure that next week, as we move into the real part of summer, it’ll be back.
I realize we’re heading to Nanny’s, but I don’t say anything. I figure Van may have forgotten something. When he pulls up out front, I’m all ready to just stay in the car, but he shuts it off and walks around, opening my door for me. The butterflies in my stomach are out of control as he offers his hand. I take it, feeling a little bit confused, but if he changed his mind after all and wants to work on the deck, I’m definitely in. Anything with him would be the most wonderful first official date I’ve ever been on.
Van lets us in the front door, and then he starts explaining into the silence of the house. “Nanny and Kimmy went over to Mom’s place for girls’ night. They took Curly Cookie, and I guess because he’s a puppy and not a person, he got a pass. Nanny wanted me to have the house to myself. When you suggested we work on the deck, it gave me an idea. I tried to think of a place that would be more private and special than this, but I couldn’t.” His hands sweep over my eyes as he steps behind me. “Let me lead you?”
“Okay.” I giggle and try not to bump my backside into his front, but it’s impossible. I do it a few times as we walk, and he groans every single time.
“Slaying me, Remi. You’re going to make me want to abandon all my plans and just take you down the hall and test out my theory that the twin bed in the guest room where I’m staying probably won’t hold both of us. Have you ever broken a bed before?”
I gasp, half thrilled and the other half thrilled too because that’s a scandalizing and tempting suggestion. Invitation? Gah, now I’ve got mental pictures of Van and me breaking beds galore, which makes me want to abandon whatever the surprise is before I even see it.
“Keep your eyes closed.” A rush of summer air hits me in the face as Van slides open the patio door. I hear the woosh of it.
“Can I open them yet?”
“Hold on. Just one second. One second more. Another second.” He takes my hand and leads me out onto the deck. I somehow don’t trip over my own feet, which is a marvel, but then again, he’s keeping me steady. The deck is solid under my flats, and the air is scented with trees and flowers—fresh, summery scents. “Okay. Now.”
My eyes pop open, and I inhale sharply. “Oh my god! Van!” I don’t know what I notice first. My eyes sweep over the yard, taking in the grass that’s recovering from being tamed back, the neatly planted flower gardens, and the still sagging fence that is the next project after the—“Oh my god!” I finally noticed the deck. “You finished it already!” It’s brand spanking new, solid and lovely, and freshly stained a dark brown. It’s still a few hours before dark, but strings of patio lights are winking golden overhead. I notice the small glass patio table and chairs next, all brand new and laid out with two place settings. There are two jar candles flickering beside a vase with sunflowers.