Page 38 of Reaching Roland

“Like a date?” I croaked out and hoped he didn’t notice how flushed I was.

He had to be able to see because I saw his cheeks pinken. “Yes.”

“Oh my gosh, yes. Yes, please, Daddy. If you’re sure, I mean. I don’t want you to feel like?—”

He leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine. Roland’s lips wereon mine. Now I understood why a woman's leg went up in old movies when the love interest kissed her or why the word swoon had been invented. I felt dizzy with the contact. He didn’t push for tongue as he wrapped me further in his arms, but it was enough. Enough for me to feel that he meant it. That he saw me differently than his buddy, his pal, his friend. The man who’d only ever dated and loved one person in his life, wanted me, saw me as a possibility, and I was here for it.

Suddenly, light burst behind my closed eyelids, and I sighed. This man’s touch made me see stars. How fucking romantic was that? As he pulled back a little, I mumbled incoherently, “No one’s ever made me see colors with a kiss before, Daddy.”

Roland chuckled in the lightest, more carefree way I’d ever heard from him, and my eyes popped open, wanting to see, wanting to bask in that sound. He pointed up at the sky. “The fireworks started, shortcake. But I’ll take the compliment.” Then he pecked the tip of my nose, and rearranged us, my back against his chest. I watched as the technicolor bursts of light reflected all of the amazing, overwhelming emotions inside of me.

During the finale, Roland whispered in my ear, “So, will you go out on a date with me Saturday night? You really want to?”

I squeezed the arms around my waist tightly to me. “Yes, Daddy. All the yeses that ever yessed. I can’t wait.”

He kissed the tip of my ear, and I’d never felt so cherished or precious in my entire life.

Chapter Fourteen

KENNY

Ifelt like I floated through the day after the Fourth completely shell-shocked. Had that really happened? Had Roland really asked me out on a date? The kiss said he did. It was simple, no tongue, just a press of lips, but I still felt a phantom pressure from that delicious contact. Something I hadn’t even let myself dream about but had wanted so desperately.How was this my life?

I hadn’t told Michalea or Austin that he’d asked me out yet because I’d wanted to hold the whole thing close today. It felt too special to blab about. But now? Now I needed to talk about this with someone, so I sent Will a text.

Me:Are you around?

I stared at the phone intently, willing it to ring or for an alert that he'd texted back. Nothing.

Scrolling to my messages with my three besties from the LBB, I sent them a group message.

Me:Anyone available for a video chat?

Within a minute, all three had responded that they were around, so I pulled out my laptop and initiated the call. It was good to see the faces of Knight, Ace, and Joshua as they appeared on my screen. “Thank God you guys are all home. I'm jumping out of my skin over here.”

Knight immediately went on alert. His protective instincts were one of the reasons he made such a wonderful police officer. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. In fact, everything is so right, I'm almost scared to believe it.”

“What are you talking about?” Joshua asked. “It's been weeks since we heard from you besides the random text message.”

“Yeah, why haven't you been home yet this summer?” Knight asked.

I’d been expecting pushback with how little they’d heard from me, but, in this moment, I didn’t care. Ready to combust, I squealed, “Roland asked me out.”

All three of them looked back at me blankly. Finally, Ace asked, “Roland?”

“The older guy. I thought he was straight, but apparently, he's not, but I didn't know. He didn’t even know. We both thought we were just hanging out as friends, and I was okay with that, you know? But no, we went to Sunrise Park last night to watch fireworks, and he actually asked me out for Saturday night.”

“You've been hanging out with another straight guy?” Knight asked with a frown.

“Why haven't we heard about this guy before?” Ace asked. He attempted a smile, but I saw the worry on his face.

“Joshua, why didn't you know about this?” Knight barked at our other friend.

“Why should I know?” Joshua asked defensively.

“Maybe because you're the one who actually works in Takoda. Don't you ever just stop by and check on Kenny?” Knight asked with a scowl.

---