Page 45 of Love at a 7-Eleven

"Golf?' he said since she had never mentioned that before.

"Miniature, I mean."

"Really?"

She nodded. "L.A. probably has good ones. Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I've only been like twice, but yeah. That would be fun. Do you seriously want to tonight?"

She nodded. "Unless you don't want to."

"Don't go tomorrow," he said.

"I know. I don't want to. Why do you think I’m trying to schedule golf with you? I’m trying to squeeze the most out of every little moment."

He rested his hand on hers and she turned it over, holding onto him, lacing her fingers between his. He wanted to leave and go to Chicago with her. He wanted her to beg him to do it. He was extra hopeful now that she had made it through an interaction with his mom.

"What's your favorite out of miniature golf and surfing?" she asked.

"Why, do you want to go surfing instead?"

"No, I, I didn't even know that was an option. I was just wanting to know which one you… could we? I've never been surfing."

"We could."

"Could you arrange a surfing trip? Not that I want to tonight… but could you if I ever come back here and we wanted to?"

"Yes, I could. Even though I might not be able to see you in a swimsuit, Lila. I can barely see you in a dress."

She smiled. "Talking like that is tempting both of us."

"I'll take you golfing tonight, and we'll schedule surfing for another day when we have more daylight… maybe tomorrow, if you want to change your mind and stay."

"I'll be out of socks and toothpaste," she said.

"You can use mine," he said.

"Your socks maybe, but not your toothpaste."

He gave her a shrug. "I thought you already kissed me."

"I have, but it's different."

"It's the same germs as using my toothpaste."

She thought about that." I've never used the same toothpaste as someone else. We've just always had our own."

"That's the exact opposite in my family. We were lucky if we had one to share."

"And look how good you turned out," she said, grinning at him. "You've probably got way better immunity than me."

He gave her a confident shrug. "I was just voted most eligible bachelor in Hollywood by my mom."

Chapter 17

Lila

I was sitting in a laundromat when I realized that I would always love Caleb Caldwell. It was rare in life that one found something worth committing wholeheartedly to. It was rare to find something that you could attach yourself permanently to with no fear, doubt, or regret. But I felt that way about Caleb I was having permanent thoughts and feelings about him. I had gotten to know him already, but something about the conversation while he sat with me in the laundromat solidified it.

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