Page 85 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

The butterflies in my stomach flapped wildly.

“Thank you. I didn’t know what to wear since you wouldn’t tell me where we’re going.”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“I’m not sure I like surprises.”

“I’m confident you’ll like this one.”

I noticed we were taking the road out of Rixon, but in the opposite direction to Halston, away from civilization and into the canopied area of the State Forest.

“It’s so pretty out here.”

“It is. I found this place by mistake once. I got lost. Took a wrong turn and ended up out here.”

“Hmm, what are you up to, Cole Kandon?” I grinned.

He chuckled. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

I pursed my lips, watching the scenery roll by as Cole drove deeper into the forest. I hadn’t been out here since I was a kid and Mom and Dad thought it would be a good idea to take Ezra on a family camping trip to try and help him assimilate.

It had been a total disaster. It rained nonstop, the tent leaked, and Ezra didn’t speak to us for two days straight.

Fun times.

The trees thinned as Cole turned off the main road down a dirt road.

“What is that?” My eyes strained against the darkness. I could just see the flicker of fairy lights in the distance.

As we drew closer, a big cabin came into view. It had a big wraparound porch and wide stairs leading to a set of double doors that were framed with glass. I could see the tables beyond the amber glow of candles.

“Pretty cool, huh? They have a big bonfire out back and live music. I thought it would be—”

“Perfect.” I smiled at him. “It’s perfect.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

I wasn’t particularly hungry, but that didn’t matter. The place was amazing.

No one had ever done anything like this for me before. The couple of dates I had gone on at the beginning of junior year had been huge letdowns.

This was everything.

“Come on, we have a reservation.”

Cole came around and opened my door, helping me out. He caught me by the waist and dipped his head to kiss me. A soft moan slipped free as I ran my hands up his chest, loving the feel of his hard chest beneath my palms.

“Mmm, you taste so good,” he whispered. “But I’m starving. So we should probably get inside before I eat you.”

“Cole!” My face turned fire truck red.

“You’re cute when you blush.” He brushed his thumb along my jaw, placing one last kiss on my lips. “I’m really glad you’re here with me, Sofe.”

“Yeah,” I breathed, “me too.”

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