Page 56 of Racing Hearts

Juniper scrunched up her nose. “Is Sierra going?”

Ellie nodded slowly and tried her best to keep her face neutral so she didn’t give anything away. “She is. We’re kind of friends now.” Thekind ofhad to do with the fact that they were so much more than that.

“Good for you, I guess. I’ll try my best to get along with her, but I’m going to tread lightly for a while.”

“That’s fine.” Ellie was just relieved to find that her and Sierra’s secret was still safe.

Juniper waved a hand as she walked away. “Have a good night. Don’t have too much fun without me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it!” Ellie shouted after her.

That talk had actually been good, because it wasted time, and she could finally leave to pick up Sierra. Ellie checked herself in the bathroom mirror one more time before leaving the house. When she pulled up to Sierra’s dorm, Sierra was already waiting outside.

She was wearing a tight-fitting cream V-neck sweater and black pants. Ellie had to bring a hand to her face just to make sure there wasn’t any drool, because damn, Sierra was so hot. She looked nervous, which only served to make her even hotter to Ellie. Confidence was definitely sexy, but there was something very endearing about a person being nervous around you.

Ellie jumped out of her car and ran around the front so she could open Sierra’s door for her. “Your chariot,” she said with a slight bow as Sierra slipped into the car.

Ellie closed Sierra’s door and went back to her side of the car. She reached out her hand and was happy when Sierra intertwined their fingers. “We are going to a little Italian restaurant that is about forty-five minutes away. I hope that’s okay.”

“That sounds great,” Sierra said, her body relaxing slightly when Ellie ran her thumb along Sierra’s.

“Okay. Most important question. What music should I put on? I was thinking either Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, or Renee Rapp.”

“It’s a long drive. Why don’t we do all three? I’m a big fan of all of them.”

Ellie put the hand that wasn’t holding Sierra’s on her chest. “Girl after my own heart. I think all three of them are so hot.”

Sierra smirked at her. “Got a thing for blondes, huh?”

“I really do,” Ellie admitted.

“Lucky me.”

Ellie squeezed Sierra’s hand. “I’d say I’m the lucky one.”

“Maybe we’re both lucky,” Sierra said shyly, the cutest blush touching her cheeks.

“I think we are.”

Ellie turned her car back on and started to drive. The forty-five minute trip went by so quickly, the time being filled by Ellie trying to get Sierra to sing louder when she caught her singing under her breath, and the two of them laughing and talking together. The date was already perfect, and it hadn’t even really started yet.

Ellie wasn’t sure how Sierra felt about public displays of affection since she wasn’t technically out, but when Ellie grabbed her hand to help her out of the car, Sierra didn’t let go, so Ellie figured that must mean she was okay with it.

They continued to touch in one way or another throughout the whole dinner, whether it was a squeeze of the hand or fingers tickled along a leg. Ellie was a very tactile person, so she was so happy to find that Sierra was the same way, even in a public setting.

“Want to split a dessert?” Ellie asked when they had both finished their main dishes. “Coach can’t get mad at us if we’re not eating awholedessert, right?”

“What Coach doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” Sierra said with a conspiratorial smile. “Plus, did you see that tray go by with the peanut butter cheesecake? Come on. Even I have my weaknesses.”

Ellie rested her chin in her hand as she stared across the table at Sierra. She couldn’t believe this girl was actually hers. Every moment they spent together was so much better than the last, and things had just started. She couldn’t imagine how amazing things would be months from now.Or years from now.She ignored the thought that popped into her head, because it was way too early to be thinking like that. They were supposed to be taking this slow. Imagining their wedding daydefinitelywasn’t slow.

“Peanut butter cheesecake sounds perfect,” Ellie said once she remembered what they had been talking about.

It turned out, the peanut butter cheesecake really was perfect, so when they left the restaurant, Ellie had a full belly and a full heart. The only problem was she really didn’t want this night to end. Right as she had that thought, she noticed a playground across the street.

“Any interest in making this date last a little longer?” Ellie pointed at the playground. “I know it’s frigid out here, but I thought we could maybe hold hands on the swings or make out on the merry-go-round.”

“Both of those things sound pretty great, but are you sure? I know you’re serious about the amount of sleep you get and it’s already late.”

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