Page 29 of Into the Mountains
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ELIAS
MAY - FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
THE FIRST DATE
“Istill can’t believe you knew the answer to the question about Stoneybrook, Connecticut. I didn’t think you were much of a reader, let alone knowing anything about the Baby-Sitters Club.”
We’re walking hand in hand, my other carrying our free coffee shop mugs and whole bean coffee from local roasters—the prize for blowing all of the other teams completely out of the running. The owner said our score was the highest he’s ever seen at one of his events and he invited us back for the next one in June.
“Underestimating me already, Monroe?”
It’s dark out, but as we pass under the streetlamp, I can just make out the redness seeping into her cheeks. “No, you just never read much in high school unless it was required reading.”
I tug us to a stop under the next street light, so I can see her features fully. “Now who’s the one doing the stalking, darling?” My voice is low and quiet, our faces gravitating closer to one another without the intention behind it.
She doesn’t shy away when I lean in closer, our noses just a breath apart. “I guess I am,” she admits, whispering. Leaning back against the pole, I lace my arm around her back and evaporate the distance between us, my lips on hers. Arms wrap around my neck and hands thread through my hair and nothing could ruin this moment. Nothing could ruin the feeling rising in my chest, the warmth I feel kissing Charlotte.
“Seriously, you can’t do that literally anywhere else?” The lady from the table next to us decided she was going to be the one to ruin what was the best kiss of my entire life. Let’s not dwell on the fact that it was actually my first kiss, but that doesn’t matter here. The point is, Medusa ruined it.
I expected Charlotte to say something back to her again like she did in the coffee shop, but instead she does the most unexpected thing. A giggle escapes her as she pulls me back down to her, my shocked lips meeting hers in full view of Medusa behind us.
I hear her make a disgusted noise before moving on with her group who make their own set of noises. One of the men cat calls, while someone else makes a snippy comment. I don’t care though, because I am finally kissing the woman I have had a crush on for years and right now, I promise to not let anything screw this up.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHARLOTTE
MAY - FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
THE FIRST DATE
I’m in a dream. Elias Hayes’s hand is resting on my thigh and he wanted to put it there. He wanted to be on this date with me and he wanted to kiss me under the streetlight a few minutes ago. Not caring who was around even after the woman from the coffee shop and her friends basically made fun of us for it. I mean, we were kind of making out in public, but for once in my life, I really wasn’t giving a shit. Which is exactly why I pulled him back. To show her that I wasn’t going to let her faze me. A year ago, I think that moment would have played out much differently but not this time.
I’m a different Charlotte than I was before. Bolder, louder, not afraid to speak up for myself or for the others around me and I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t ever let that part of me get lost again once I found it.
Feeling bold again, I chase that feeling and let my hand come to rest on top of his, the warmth of his hand seeping into my skin like the sun on a warm summer day, followed by the settled feeling in my chest. A feeling I haven’t felt in a long time. Contentment. Neither of us were ready for the night to end just yet, so Elias suggested driving my car back to my parents’ house, insisting he can call his friend to come get him.
The ride back to my house is quiet and I think after the business and the amount of noise we endured from the trivia night, we are both more than okay with the silence. We settle on the oldies radio station playing softly in the air, and the wind from the open windows tugs a few more strands of hair loose from my ponytail. Usually, I’d care about looking more put together, but one, it’s the end of the date and two, I truly just don’t care. So much so that I find the scrunchie holding it back and tug until it’s out, my hair whipping around me, wild lassos ready to catch the wind.
Elias laughs and squeezes my hand. We both roll down our windows all the way, letting the wind fill the car and mix with our laughter. The warmth from his hand leaves me as Elias reaches for the radio dial, a familiar song starting, one I’d recognize anywhere. And for the last few minutes home, we belt out the lyrics to “What I Like About You” by The Romantics.
Once we pull into the gravel driveway, Elias turns the music down. When the song comes to an end, a different kind of quiet settles in along with a mix of emotions. I feel exhilarated and excited. And sad the date has come to an end.
“This was the perfect date, Elias,” I say while trying to wrangle my hair to get it out of my face. One strand gets caught in my eyelashes.
He reaches out his hands and smooths it down for me, combing back a few strands that I missed. Sparks dance alongmy skin where his fingertips touch and suddenly it’s not just my chest that has that warm feeling. It’s my whole body.
“You’re perfect.” His voice is a whisper and his eyes pierce into mine. Intense and longing. The space between us is almost nonexistent so I make it extinct and press our lips together.
Perfect.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHARLOTTE
PRESENT DAY
