Page 52 of Our Moon
“You were lingering.”
“Sorry, just in a daze I guess.”
He looks at me funny. “Everything okay?”
I could tell him. I could tell him right now and he might be okay with it. Trevor was always the levelheaded one. He might understand. He might even be able to cushion the blow of telling Alex. But I can’t do that to Ally.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Just remembering our graduation. And hungry. Can’t wait to eat.”
He looks at me for another moment, then starts the car. “Me too, I’m starved.”
I let out the breath I’ve been holding and relax back into my seat.
One more day. Just one more day.
***
The seven of us are seated at a table near the front of the restaurant, finishing up our dessert. I am sitting across from Ally, which is proving to be difficult. Every now and then her shoeless foot finds its way against my leg and causes me to nearly choke or spit out my drink. I tried to give her a stern look the first couple of times, but it was useless. Now I’m doing my best to ignore her.
Ally excuses herself to the restroom once she finishes her tiramisu, giving me a look and a slight nod of her head. I quickly look around to see if anyone else noticed, but they’re all chatting and finishing their desserts.
I finish my cheesecake and excuse myself as well. The guys are none the wiser, but Mrs. Monroe has a small smirk on her face that leads me to believe she knows exactly what’s going on. I don’t know if I should be elated or completely weirded out about what she might be thinking.
I’m walking down the back hallway to the bathroom when I’m suddenly pulled into a dark service hallway. Next thing I know, Ally’s arms are around my neck and her lips are on mine.
“Whoa,” I say pulling back. “What’s this?”
“I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” she breathes out as she pulls me in for another kiss.
“Not that I’m not loving this,” I say into her mouth. “But we can’t be back here for long, you’ve already been gone for a few minutes. Might get suspicious.” I think about telling her that her parents know about us, but she kisses me again, and I forget my own name.
“Today has been one of the best days ever,” she sighs happily as she lays her head against my chest. “I’m so glad I got to spend it with you, even if I wasn’t really with you.”
“Yeah, nice going with the pictures.”
She laughs, “I had to have at least one of us together.”
“I’m glad you did it.”
She leans up and kisses me again. “I wish I could go to the party with you guys.”
“I know, baby girl. But you’ll have a good time with Lucy. With you both going to separate schools in the fall, you won’t get to spend much time together after the summer. But the guys and I will always be around.”
“I know you’re right. I’ll just miss you tonight.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
“Don’t get into any trouble,” she warns.
“Who? Me?” I laugh. She knows as well as I do that I don’t get into any trouble. Hell, none of us guys do. I barely drink at all, and the others may indulge in a celebratory beer or two, but we’re all pretty mild when it comes to partying. We go for the music and to hang out with friends, possibly score gigs at other house parties. That’s about it.
“I can’t wait until I can go to those parties with you as your girlfriend.”
I pull her in tight and hold her close to me. “You will.”
“Soon?” she asks.
“Soon,” I promise.
