Page 60 of All Your Firsts

“Uh...no,” I say, confused.

“Exactly. It’s peaceful here. Why don’t you have a house on the lake?”

“I haven’t really thought about it.”

“I would. Then, I’d put my easel right at the end of this dock. The scenery is too magnificent not to render paintings of it.”

“Maybe I’ll bring you back, and you can.”

“Only if you do, too.”

“Only if you go out on a date with me,” I say without thinking.

Fuck. What is wrong with me?

“A date?” she repeats with wide eyes.

I can’t take that shit back now. “Yes. Let me take you on a date.”

“Maybe,” she says with a shrug before she smiles. Ahh, hard-to-get Rosie has now entered the chat.

“You’re the first girl I’ve ever asked on a date, and you give me a maybe? You’re breaking my heart,” I say, holding my chest as if I’m in pain.

“The first?” She sounds shocked.

“Yep.”

“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”

“Never. And I’ve never brought anyone here besides you.”

“Well, I feel special.”

“You should,” I say with a smile.

“You’re such a jerk,” she says with a laugh, then sobers. “Thank you for sharing your lake with me. It’s perfect.”

She’s right. It is perfect, with the crickets softly chirping, the moon illuminating the small waves, and her by my side.

We lie with our backs against the dock and gaze up at the sky. The stars are so easy to see without the lights of the town.

“I’ve always loved looking at the stars. Ever since I was a little girl, I’d stay out in my mother’s garden late into the night just staring at them. Sometimes she or my best friend Alexa would join me,” she murmurs sadly.

“You miss your family.”

“I do. I miss them so much,” Rosie says before clearing her throat.

“What are they like?” I ask, wanting her to open up to me.

“Well, you already know Gage. Probably better than me at this point.”

“Maybe,” I say carefully, not wanting to open that can of lies and deceit. I’ve already lied to her too much.

“So, you guys became friends after you tattooed him?”

“Yep. Your family?” I ask, wanting to change the direction of this conversation quickly.

“My mom is always so understanding and loving. Then there’s Marco, Gage’s twin. He’s intense and protective. I love him, but he can be overwhelming sometimes.”

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