Page 57 of The Pinkie Pact

After one last glimpse of Kieran's impossibly handsome face, Kara and I went inside, and with a sinking feeling, I realized Friday night seemed so far away.

Date Night

Sky

The week dragged on with every day seeming to get even slower. Kara couldn't resist alternating between teasing me and getting super excited for me. I'd actually be glad when Genevieve came back to town. But that wasn't until Friday night... which was kind of perfect timing actually.

Kieran and I texted a few times but not that much. I held myself back because I didn't want to seem too needy, and I wondered if he was feeling that awkwardness or if he was just busy.

During my two shifts at the library, I looked for him, but he wasn't there. I couldn't help the disappointment that I felt each time. But whatever... no big deal.

Somehow, I managed to make it through till Friday, nerves filling my body as I tried to get ready. With shaky hands, I finished putting on my eye makeup. God, why was I so nervous? This was pathetic. It was just Kieran, someone I'd hung out with a bunch of times. So why did this feel so different?

I didn't know the answer to that. But the question kept whirling around in my mind as I tried on one outfit after the other. Kara, sitting on her bed, laughed at the huge pile of discards flung across my comforter. "Just pick one already! You look like a queen in all of them."

"Oh, like you didn't do the same thing a minute ago." I pointed to the pile of clothes draped across her desk chair.

She ignored me and grabbed her phone. "Crap, I just thought of something. What if we end up at the same restaurant?"

"I doubt that'll happen. Did Genevieve say where she wanted to go?"

"No. Just someplace really nice." She typed furiously into her phone. "Hey, doofus, where are you taking Sky?"

I looked in the mirror at my outfit. Okay. This was it. Nice but not too nice. Sexy but not too sexy. Wait. Now I had to figure out shoes. Not that I had brought that many here. But still.

After more discussion with Kara, I finally picked out a pair, and I was ready. "Did you hear back?"

She sighed, disgusted. "No. He's probably driving."

Glancing at my phone, I realized I'd better hurry and get downstairs. I'd suggested meeting him outside so he wouldn't have to bother with parking. But really, I wanted to avoid any lovely remarks from Kara. I trusted her but not one-hundred percent. Not that I thought she'd say anything on purpose exactly. But she was totally the type who let stuff slip.

"All right," I said, stuffing a few things into my little purse. "I'm gonna head down. Have a blast tonight. Okay?"

"You too," she said. "And if my brother gets out of line, just let me know, and I'll kick his ass for you."

That made me cackle as I opened the door. "Don't worry. I can kick his ass myself."

Closing the door to her laughter, I made my way downstairs, feeling like I was about to go on my first freaking date ever. What the hell was wrong with me?

I stepped outside into the night to find Kieran waiting for me already, his car pulled up right in front of the dorm. Was I late? I didn't think so. Maybe he was early. He jumped out, looking like someone straight out of a damn movie, making me a little lightheaded at how hot he was tonight.

"Hi," he said, his voice quiet.

"Hi," I answered back.

Real riveting stuff there, Sky.

His eyes roamed my body all the way down to my shoes. "You look, um..." He gulped like he was having trouble speaking. "...amazing."

I smiled because I realized he might be more nervous than I was judging by the tense way he stood there and the slight tremor to his voice.

"Thanks," I said. "You do too."

His eyebrows shot up. "I do?"

At his reaction, it occurred to me that Kieran had no idea how good looking he actually was. He didn't act like a typical dude who knew he was hot. I wanted to say more, but instead, I just elbowed him. "Don't let it go to your head, doofus."

Laughing, he moved to open the car door for me. "You've been hanging around my sister too much."

---