Page 15 of How We Loved

“Oh, you have to see this,” Trevor says as he guides us to where a guy is carving pumpkins.

There’s a crowd around him, so we stand and watch as he works his magic on a pumpkin about twelve inches wide. Someone else tries to squeeze in to see, so Trevor allows them and moves to stand behind me. When he places his arms around my waist, pulling me back to him, I lean my head on his chest.

For first dates, I’d say we’re off to a very good start. I already feel comfortable with him, and I love that he’s not shy about wanting to hold my hand or kiss me even.

The guy finishes what he was working on, then looks out to the crowd. When he spots us, he holds it up to show us a heart with a bow and arrow cut through it. Trevor instantly reaches for his wallet.

“What is he doing?” I whisper to him.

“If you like the pumpkin, you can buy it. I’d say that’s the perfect thing to remind you of our first date.” He kisses the top of my head and hands the guy a twenty-dollar bill.

“Thank you.” The guy takes the money from him, and Trevor takes the pumpkin, holding it closer for me to see.

“That’s so sweet!” I examine how great of a job he did.

“Yeah, he’s here every year. I’ve seen him do some really cool designs, but I never got to actually purchase one.”

I smile up at him, loving that he got it for us.

My phone dings with a text from my dad, saying I’d better start heading home.

I show Trevor the message with a sigh. “Sorry, I have to go.”

“It’s okay. I think we’ve done all there is to do anyway.”

We make our way to the parking lot, holding hands while he carries the pumpkin in his other hand.

Once we approach my car, I turn to face him, feeling awkward on how our goodbye should go. “Thanks again for inviting me.”

When I see him still holding the pumpkin, I open my passenger door and motion for him to put it on the seat.

He puts it down. “I’m glad you came to join me. I’d love to see you again,” he says, and I feel my entire soul light up.

“I’d like that too.”

I shut the door, and we face each other. He leans in and gives me a sweet kiss, then pulls back with the cutest grin covering his face.

“Till next time then.”

I return his expression, feeling my heart race as he turns to leave.

“Bye.”

“Bye,” he says breathlessly.

I open my door and sit as fast as I can, wanting this elation from having the perfect first date to last a little longer.

CHAPTER FIVE

Ben

I wake up after a lazy Saturday, only to plan to do the same thing today. The only difference is, on Sundays, all of my friends come and hang out at my place.

Normally, on Saturdays, I kick it with Maya, but when I got home from the team meeting yesterday, she had other plans—plans she didn’t care to share with me.

That was the first Saturday since Lord knows when that we didn’t hang out. I was confused on how things had changed because when I dropped her off, she said she’d be ready for me to pick her back up on my way home from the meeting.

When I called her to say I was on my way, she didn’t answer. She just sent my ass to voice mail, then sent me a text, saying:

---