Page 5 of How We Fooled

I smile, loving how confident and sure of life this girl is. “What are your plans tonight? How about I take you out and really show you this town?”

A small grin grows on her face. “I’d like that.”

I grab my phone, holding it up to her. “Can I get your number?”

She nods, and we exchange numbers.

“Cool. I’ll call you later.”

She walks back to her car, and I sneak a peek at her as she does so. It might have sucked that my bike got a flat, but turns out, I’m sure glad it did.

CHAPTER TWO

Liza

I walk to my car, dying to know if he’s watching me walk away. When I get to my door, I open it and turn to finally take a peek at him. A rush of excitement races through me when I see him leaning up against his truck, just watching me. I give him a wave goodbye, and he waves back.

Opening my car door quickly, I slide inside, hoping he doesn’t see this giddy schoolgirl smile on my face that I can’t seem to get rid of. I don’t remember the last time I was excited about a date. He just felt different than any guy I’d met back in Stockton. Maybe it was the small-town charm that was oozing off of him. I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was something there, a spark that kept igniting between the two of us.

I knew my life would be different here. Back home, I had a few friends, but the directions their lives were taking wasn’t where I wanted to go. This is exactly what I needed. A fresh start with good people in my life.

I drive back to my aunt and uncle’s place with thoughts of what to wear for my date tonight racing through my head. I don’t plan on staying at their place forever, but I’m very grateful they opened up their house to me while I get on my feet. When I arrive, I see my aunt Heidi unloading groceries from the trunk of her car, so I hop out to see if I can help.

“Here, let me get some,” I say as I approach her.

“Oh, yeah. Thank you,” she responds, handing me a few bags before leaning in to get more. “How was your hike?”

“Amazing,” I respond probably way too enthusiastically for just a simple hike, still high from the day.

She stops what she was doing and stands to look at me. “Amazing, huh?” she asks with my same tone of happiness. “Is there something I’m missing?”

“I met a guy, and I have a date tonight.” I smile big.

“Wow, only here a week, and you already have a date. Look at you!” She nudges my arm playfully, making me giggle at her reaction. “Who’s the lucky guy?”

“His name is Eli. He’s from Leighton River.”

Aunt Heidi scrunches her face to the side as she looks up in thought. “Hmm. I don’t think I know an Eli from Leighton River.”

I shake my head with a laugh. “How could you? He doesn’t live in Mason Creek.”

She grabs the last bag and closes the trunk. “Sweetheart, Leighton River ain’t much different than Mason Creek, and everyone knows everyone from that town too. It’s just a little ritzier is all.”

“Ritzy? In a small town? How is that even possible?” I joke.

“You didn’t know TimeLand—that gaming app all the kids play—has their headquarters there?”

I shake my head with a laugh of astonishment. “No, I had no clue. I’m not a fan of playing the game anyway.”

“Probably better that you don’t. I find it funny they call it TimeLand because it literally wastes all of your time, staring at your phone, yet so many kids are addicted to it, but, yeah, they brought a lot of money into the town, and people have taken full advantage, for sure.”

I’ve never been one for gaming apps on a console or on my phone, so I guess I never cared enough to know anything about TimeLand or where they’re located. I used to live close to Silicon Valley, so big companies like that surrounding me is just another day.

We walk into the kitchen with the grocery bags and put everything away.

Once it looks like it’s all under control, I ask, “Do you need any more help?”

She glances at the time, then grins my way. “No, sweetie. Go get ready for your date.”

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