Page 15 of Until Then

“Blue raspberry and cherry.”

I mix the flavors, creating several layers, and when the cup is full, I pass it back. Then, with two red plastic straws in hand, I nod for her to follow me to the checkout.

“Hey, Derrick.” Greg, the same guy who’s worked here for the past ten years, greets me. “Good day?”

“Can’t complain.”

Before he’s finished ringing up the slushies, I’m holding out cash while I steadfastly ignore Izzy, who’s standing at my side and pulling out her wallet.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she says, ducking under my arm when I hold the door open. The warm evening breeze stirs her hair. It’s a long, thick curtain hanging past her breasts. A part of her anatomy I shouldn’t be thinking about. “I could’ve gotten my own.”

I lift a shoulder and let it fall. “Slushies were my idea.”

“Hmm. I guess you have a point there.” She flashes me a sly smile.

Once we’re both seated in the truck again, I start it up andadjust the AC, but I don’t pull away yet. I want her to try the slushie first.

Straw held out, I wave it in front of her. “Go on. Try it.”

Carefully, she removes the wrapper, that simple move holding my attention. Her nails are long and painted pink. For a moment I wonder if I should’ve taken it off for her, but she pulls the straw out with ease.

She gives me one last skeptical glance before she wraps her lips around the red straw and takes a sip.

Her eyes widen in pleasant surprise, and a small hum of satisfaction rumbles in her throat. “Oh my God, that isgood.”

I chuckle. I’m equal parts amused and pleased by her reaction. “See?”

She nods quickly, exaggeratedly, in an impression of a bobblehead. “How have I gone my entire life without having one of these? This is liketheperfect summer drink. This gas station better get used to seeing me. I’m about to be here every day.”

My chest flutters with a mix of excitement and pride because I was the one to introduce her to something she’s never had before.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“It’s fantastic.” Her cheeks hollow around the straw. “The combination of flavors is perfect, but I think I like blue raspberry the best.” She eyes me then, long lashes fanning against her tanned cheeks. Freckles dot the bridge of her nose.

The innocence of her joy reminds me of a simpler time in my life, before reality came crashing down.

“We can go back.” She puts her cup in the holder and snaps her seat belt in place, at the same time snapping me out of my reverie. “Don’t feel like you have to sit here until I finish.”

“Maybe I want to sit here.” I finally open my own strawand take a sip of my slushie. Then, for reasons I don’t understand, I hold it out to her. “Want to try.”

I expect her to take the cup from me, but I should know better. This is Izzy. She never does what I think she will. Rather than reaching for the drink, she leans in close. And as her hair falls like a curtain around her face, brushing my fingers, she wraps her lips around my straw.

Though I know it’s a terrible idea, I can’t help but study her mouth. The plump, pink lips and how they purse as she sucks.

Look away.

It’s what I should do.

But I don’t.

I can’t.

And for a moment, the world stands still.

It only starts spinning again when she licks her lips and pulls away. “Not as good as mine.”

With a shake of my head, I take a sip, hoping to hide my embarrassment and cool the heat in my cheeks. “You just don’t want to admit mine is better.”

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