Page 131 of Resurrection
"I’ve got something big planned for us. Friday night."
Her smile shifts to interest. "And?"
"I’m picking you up at six. Dress casual. Bring a warm jacket." I draw back, watching her process this.
Naomi narrows her eyes in mock suspicion. "No hints?"
"That’s the hint. Trust me."
The way she looks at me, like she’s trying to solve a puzzle with too many pieces—it’s enough to make me want to spill everything right then and there. But I hold back, trying to play it cool.
"Alright. See you Friday at six. You have my address."
I watch her go, my heart kicking in my chest. I want this to be the best night she’s ever had.
On Friday evening, the limo purrs into her driveway at six sharp.
I’m in the back, and my stomach is a mess of nerves and need. I text her and then climb out of the vehicle to wait.
I’m staring at the blue sky and the sun’s brushstrokes when she steps onto the porch.
The flowers I brought her match her yellow summer dress and the ivory mohair cardigan that’s thrown over her shoulders. Pure coincidence or pure fate? And those boots… God, she's stunning.
She pauses for a second and assesses the view of me and the limo in front of her house.
"Fancy," she comments as she walks over.
"Dating me could be fun." I give her the flowers, wondering if she’s nervous too. She shouldn’t be. Not when I’m promising the moon and the stars and everything in between. Not when I’m doing my damnedest to give them to her now because I couldn’t give them to her all those years ago.
"You clean up nice, Tyler Brady." She rests her free hand on my shoulderand brushes an invisible speck of dust. I’m convinced she’s touching me just because she wants to.
"You like?" I tease, knowing my clothes can’t hold a candle to the way she looks. Dark ripped jeans and a white T-shirt can’t compete with the dress and boots. But I put in a little extra effort into my hair today, even though it’ll probably be a mess by the end of the night… If things go as planned.
"I should probably put them in water." She gestures at the flowers in her hand and then at her front door.
"Yes, it’d be best if you want them to live."
"Oh?"
"Since they might die if you take them with us." I smile, then drive my point home. "We’re not coming back tonight."
"Well, let’s see how that goes," she counters.
"Are you saying I need to behave?"
"I don’t know if you’ve ever been good at that, Ty."
"True."
She disappears into the house for a moment, and when she’s back, the limo driver is on it, handling the door for us.
In the back seat, her hesitation lasts a second, maybe less. Then she moves toward me, slipping her arm around mine. "Is this your subtle way of showing me how good you’ve got it?"
I hold her tighter. "It’s my subtle way of showing you how goodyou’vegot it."
She laughs. "Unbelievable."
The space feels too small for everything I want to say, everything I’ve planned for tonight.
