Page 17 of Reluctant Chemistry

She withdrew her hand, formed a heart with her fingers, and turned to walk away.

* * *

Hearing the Kombi come to a stop in his driveway, Luka smiled. It was almost five thirty, and after spending most of the day with his head in a training manual, he couldn’t wait to see her expressive face.

He rushed into the bathroom and ran his fingers through his hair as he checked his reflection in the mirror. Some days, he could almost see his father staring back at him through his mother’s eyes.

CeCe’s face lit up when he opened the door to her knock. “I’m here.”

Her hair cascaded down her back in soft curls, and bracelets jingled on her wrist. Makeup-free and wearing a full-length patterned skirt paired with a fringed top, she looked like she’d spent the day at a seventies rock concert. He pulled her close and kissed her. “Yes, so I see. Are you coming in?”

CeCe motioned toward her van. “Actually, I’ve packed a picnic. You wanna go on a magical mystery tour?”

“I’d love to. What should I bring?”

“Just yourself, and maybe a T-shirt.” As she smiled through her lashes and winged a brow, Luka wanted to scoop her up and throw her on the bed so they could seal the deal that his work had so rudely interrupted the other night. She jingled her keys in front of him. “Keen to drive, Chopper Guy?”

“Sure. I’ll just get some stuff.” He headed back inside to grab a T-shit and sweater from his dresser and some cheese and olives from the fridge.

She called out to him, “I didn’t pack any meat, so it’s BYO if you want to head down that shaky road.”

Back outside, Luka opened the side door of the Kombi and packed his food into the cooler, wondering if her ‘shaky road’ comment meant she was a vegetarian.

The van had a distinctive smell—lavender and aged leather—and Luka knew without a doubt that the aroma would remind him of CeCe from that day forward. Once settled in the driver’s seat, he turned the key and guided the gearshift into reverse. “Where are we going?”

“Straight down Coronation Drive and head out of town. I’ll tell you when to turn off.”

“You realize that’s a Beatles album, don’t you?”

“What is?”

“Magical Mystery Tour.”

“No way. So you’re saying I didn’t think of it first?”

“Nope. In fact, that album’s almost as old as these wheels.”

“Guess I’ve heard the expression but didn’t realize what it related to.” She shifted in her seat, turning to face him, excitement brightening her expression. “We should seriously download it so we can play it next time we’re on an adventure. I don’t know much Beatles stuff, but I know about them, obviously. They were kind of a big deal back in the day.”

Luka laughed. “Now that’s an understatement.”

CeCe reached over and turned up the stereo, swaying in her seat as she sang along in a delicate, husky voice. “Okay, take this next left. Then drive until you want to kiss me.”

Luka pulled onto the verge and came to an abrupt stop. He leaned over and cupped her face in both hands. “I want to kiss you right now.” And he did so before nuzzling into her neck, her soft moan of pleasure making him impossibly hard.

She gently pushed him back, her eyes bright. “You’re getting carried away.”

“As I tend to when you’re around.”

“Come on, it’s not far now.” She pointed up the road. “See that tall pine? Take a right there.”

Luka followed her directions, the mellowness of the evening and the fascinating girl riding shotgunmaking him warm inside. They drove a short distance down a dirt road until they came to a clearing. He stopped the van, shifted into first, and pulled on the handbrake. With water tumbling over rocks and into a small pond surrounded by lush green grass, the sight before them was picture-postcard perfect.

“What is this place?”

CeCe unfastened her seat belt. “Grant’s Pond. Isn’t it cute?”

“Is this public land?”

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