Page 80 of Anyone But Her

"If it's easier I could drop her off at your house," I say.

"Wouldn't work," Birdie says as she opens the door to her Jeep. "If my parents saw you guys together they'd blab to Taylor's parents and your secret would be out. My parents are the worst at keeping secrets. Every Christmas, my mom slips up and tells me what I'm getting." She gets in the Jeep. "This year it's a new phone."

"She already told you?" Taylor asks.

"Yep. She even told me which one I'm getting. Anyway, have fun!" She shuts her door and drives off.

Taylor laughs. "Birdie's a little crazy but I love her. She's the best friend ever. She's the one who came up with the story so we could meet tonight."

"Cal was acting really strange when I told him I was going out with her."

"Strange, how?"

"He almost acted jealous but I'm sure that wasn't it. Those two can't stand each other."

"Yeah, they've been fighting for as long as I can remember."

"Enough about them." I go over to Taylor and wrap my arms around her. We're not in a secluded area but finding one could take several minutes and I can't wait any longer to touch her, to feel her in my arms, to kiss her. I lean down, my lips just inches from hers.

"Luke." She says it like we shouldn't be doing this but she's smiling like she wants it to happen.

And so I kiss her. My arms are around her waist and I pull her closer, against my body.

"I couldn't wait any longer," I murmur over her lips. Then I lift my eyes to look at her. Her eyes are wide, her mouth slightly parted, her breaths fast and shallow.

She reaches her hands behind my neck and brings my mouth back to hers and kisses me. I slip my tongue in her mouth and feel her hands grip my neck as she presses her body against mine, as if she wants to close even the tiniest gap between us.

We remain there kissing for who knows how long, not stopping until a group of kids runs past us, heading to the playground.

"We should probably find another spot," I say to Taylor.

Taking her hand I lead her past the playground and away from the tennis courts and basketball courts. There's people everywhere tonight. I didn't think it'd be so crowded.

"Sorry I couldn't come up with a better meeting place," I say. "Being new to the area I didn't know what to suggest."

"This works," she says. "There really isn't a place that'll be completely private."

"I know it was short notice but I really wanted to see you. I couldn't wait any longer."

"Me too. It's hard to get away with so much going on and my family keeping tabs on me."

"We probably won't be able to meet up like this again for at least a week, maybe more."

"Because of the tournament next week?"

"And the commercial for WaveField. We're filming it on Monday."

Her face lights up. "You're still doing the commercial? Luke, that's great!"

"We're going to do as you suggested and keep the focus on fitness instead of golf so we don't break any rules. But obviously everyone knows I'm a golfer."

"Do you know when it'll start airing?"

"They're hoping to run it the following week. They want to take advantage of whatever press I get from the tournament next week, meaning I better not fuck it up."

"You won't. You've played that course enough to know how to manage the tougher holes."

"Yeah, but I took time off when Albert died. I missed a lot of practice time. I probably shouldn't even be playing next week."

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