Page 26 of From Me to You

Jay locked his eyes with mine, checking me out from head to toe. “You look beautiful. These are for you.” He handed me a small bouquet of pink wildflowers that I didn’t realize he was holding.

“Thank you,” I said as I gazed into his blue-blue eyes, which seemed to shine brighter. “I will go put it away.”

“Oh, I will do it, honey.” Aunty M smiled as she took the bouquet from me. “You kids go and enjoy your date.”

I nodded just as Jay said, “Thank you, Marie. I will make sure to bring her back home before twelve.”

Aunty M grinned wider. “Have fun.” She waved, closing the door behind us.

Jay linked his fingers with mine and walked me to his car. He held the door open for me and helped me inside. He leaned in to reach for the belt. “I can do it,” I mumbled. But his gaze told me otherwise as he fastened the belt around me. My heart pounded so fast that I was panting at this point.

“You ready?” Jay asked, starting the engine. He held out his right hand to me, and I took it. He laced our fingers and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of my hand.

“Yes,” I whispered.

I turned on my side and watched him the whole drive there. He never let go of my hand.

We drove for what seemed like forever in comfortable silence. We were way out of town in the middle of nowhere. I peeredoutside the window—there were only miles and miles of forest trees as far as the eye could see.

“I didn’t realize I was getting kidnapped on my first date,” I told him.

He laughed. “Don’t worry, we are almost there. You’ll see when we get there. I have other plans for you.”

“Promises, promises.” I smiled.

Soon Jay turned on a clearing off the road that led to a smaller path. We drove for what seemed like five minutes before we reached an empty field of some sort.

He parked the car and helped me out. “Now this definitely isn’t scary or anything,” I said, looking around. It was so dark that I could hardly see a thing. The tall trees casting shadows behind me looked scary.

“Don’t worry,” he said, pointing to a dim light far away that looked like a house. “I know the owners. This is their farmland. The Baileys used to live in Bellevue before they moved up here. Me and the gang used to come up here a lot, and it’s one of our favorite spots to hang out during the summer.” He pulled out a thick blanket and what looked like a picnic basket from the back of the truck. “Come on.” Jay held out his hand for me. He placed the blanket in the middle of the clearing and pulled me in to sit next to him.

“I didn’t realize we were having a picnic,” I said, facing him.

Jay smiled as he brought a finger to my chin and titled my face upward. “Look up, sweetheart,” he said softly.

My eyes widened as I took in the million little stars glittering like diamonds in the sky. It looked like the sky was alive. It was breathtaking. I couldn’t believe I didn’t notice it. I’d never seen stars like this before. I’d only ever lived in cities, so a view like this was hard to come by. “It’s so beautiful,” I said in awe.

“Yes,” he whispered, but he was looking right at me not the shimmering canvas above us.

Jay pulled me to him, my back against his chest. His delicious heat kept me warm as we gazed up at the stars.

“Do you know much about stars?” I asked him, breathing into his scent, which was oh-so-delicious, mixed with the smell of earth and pine.

“Not much, really. I have always loved how the stars looked up here. I’d never seen them like this anywhere else, so I thought I’d bring you here.”

I pointed to a star that shone brighter than the rest. “You are one day going to be a star like that.” I grinned cheekily.

He laughed. “I hope so, sweetheart. I hope so.”

“Did you always know you were going to be a singer?”

“Yeah, it is the only thing I know. The only thing I am good at.”

“What is your biggest dream in life?” I asked curiously.

“To have a stadium full of people screaming to the lyrics that I wrote. To have people listen to my music and find comfort in it. To create an album so good that it stays in people’s hearts forever. And to make my uncle proud,” Jay said softly, his eyes shining.

“I know you will do all the other things. But does it matter that I already find comfort in your songs and that they will stay in my heart forever?”

---