Page 28 of How We Loved

“So,” he says with a smile, “what homework do you have?”

I follow his lead and move on as well. “Spanish.”

He squints his eyes. “You’re still taking a language?”

Most people only take two years, as that’s the graduation requirement. I decided to go the distance so I could be considered bilingual when I graduate.

“Sí,” I say in Spanish. “Estoy en español cuatro.” Meaning I’m in Spanish four.

“Okay, you overachiever, you.” He winks. “I have Econ work to do.”

I close my Spanish book and grab my Econ book. “So do I. We can do it together and see if our classes are any different.”

He opens his notebook to a blank page and flips to chapter eleven. “What chapter are you guys on?”

I grin from ear to ear. “Eleven.”

He scoots closer. “Then, even better. We can do the work together.”

Turns out, our schools are not as different as we thought, and we have the same chapter worksheet that needs to be done.

I read over the first question as he scans the book, then points to the page. “Fourth paragraph down is answer one.”

We both write in the answers, then move on to the next questions.

“How about you search for the odd numbers and I’ll do the even? Then, we can finish this faster,” he suggests.

“You got a deal.”

With the two of us working together, we finish in half the time and close our books with a proud slam.

“Glad that’s done,” he states with a sigh of relief.

“What subject’s next?” I ask.

“Human Anatomy,” he says with a smirk as he slides closer. “What do you say we go park somewhere?”

My heart starts to pound as a thrill of excitement races through me. I lean in and give him a quick kiss. “Sounds like a plan.”

We pack our bags and clean up our area before heading out the door to his truck.

“Where should we go?” he asks as he cranks the engine, bringing his old beast to life.

I point to the left. “Go to the Stop sign and turn right. I know a place down by the river that’s pretty secluded.”

He puts the truck in reverse, then backs out of the parking spot. Once he’s in drive, he places his arm on the back of the bench seat and says to me, “Why don’t you slide over here and sit in the middle next to me?” He nods to the lap belt. “There’s a belt here to.”

I don’t know why, but the idea thrills me way more than it should. It’s like those old country movies that I’ve seen on TV, where the girl is sitting next to her man in the truck. I never thought I’d get to be that kind of girl.

With a smile I can’t hide, I take off my seat belt and slide next to him, fastening the lap belt once I’m in place.

I glance up at him, and he returns my smile.

“That’s much better. Let’s just call that your spot from now on.”

He turns his attention back to the road as I guide him some more. I swear I’m a puddle of girlie goo, curled up next to him like this as he drives to the lake.

Once he’s parked, he cuts the engine and turns to me. Not sparing a minute, he crashes his lips against mine.

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