Page 82 of Those Summer Nights (Sweet Cravings 2)

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “We were a long shot. But I’m kind of liking our odds now.”

“Me too. So let’s both be believers in fate. Flip a coin. What major would be heads and which one would be tails?”

“God, I can’t even narrow it down to two.”

He laughed.

“I know I have to figure it out. But nothing seems as glamorous as staying here.” We both stared out at the water. The stars reflecting on the surface shimmered in the night.

He sighed. “Tell me about it.”

“I just want to stop time and stay in our little Rehoboth bubble forever.”

“Well, you said forever. So it’s not a commitment issue.”

I looked up at him. “No, it’s not a commitment issue. I just don’t know if I’ve tried the right major yet. And now I’m running out of time.”

“Hmmm. Engineering or math?”

I laughed.

“I’ll help you figure it out this summer. I promise.” He pulled me closer, resting his chin on the top of my head.

I’d spent my whole life trying to figure it out. But he seemed rather sure of himself. And I believed his promises. When his arms were around me, I felt so safe and secure. I pressed the side of my face against his chest. His heartbeat was the only sound I loved more than the ocean.

We stood like that for a long time. His arms wrapped tightly around me, both of us staring out at the water.

“Is it ridiculous that I’m starving?” he asked. “The portions at that fancy restaurant were so freaking small.”

I laughed. “I have the perfect thing for that.” I grabbed his hand and led him back up to the boardwalk. We made our way through the Saturday night crowds.

My apartment was dark as we walked up the wooden steps. Kristen had kept her promise to spend the night out, and the thought made my heart race. I was going to be alone with J.J. all night. That was a first for us. For the past few nights I had crashed at his place, but his roommates were always around. I didn’t even know if he’d want to spend the night. Maybe he preferred to sleep alone in his own bed. Or maybe he did something really weird in his sleep like yell profanities or sleepwalk naked. Honestly the last one didn’t sound so bad to me. It would give me time to really study his body without him even realizing I was staring.

“It looks like your mind is going a mile a minute,” he said.

“What?” I laughed as I pulled out my key. “Hardly.”

He grabbed my hand before I put the key into the lock. “We can go out for dessert if you want. I wasn’t expecting for your place to be empty. I just wanted to get to know you better, Jellyfish Girl.”

He was acting like we hadn’t already had sex. We were only going to be in the same state for another month and a half. I wasn’t going to waste any time on going slow. But I loved the fact that he was a gentleman. I shook my head. “We need time to figure out that rolling pin.” I felt my face flushing. Why was that the thing I said? I had no idea what do to with a rolling pin besides…roll it. On a counter. For baking. I quickly opened the door as he laughed.

“It smells really good in here,” he said.

I flipped on the light switch. “Girly shampoos and body lotions probably.” I had a love of fruity aromas. I dropped my high heels on the floor and walked toward the kitchen.

“No. It smells like an Italian restaurant.”

“Oh.” I laughed. “That’s why we’re here. To eat.” I pulled the lasagna out of the fridge.

“Is it?” He walked over to me. “I could think of a few other things I’d rather do.” His eyes wandered down my body.

“I forgot to thank you for my dress!” I didn’t know why I was suddenly nervous around him. “It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever gotten me.”

“It would look even better off.” He took another step forward.

Holy shit. The hunger in his eyes was palpable. And my lasagna was the most delicious thing in the apartment, not me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to warm you up some lasagna? I made it this afternoon and I promise it’ll be the best thing you ever put in your mouth.”

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