Page 73 of Why Not Us?

“Yes. They usually put on four plays every summer. I try to go at least once. I went toTwelfth Nightlast year with Vic. It was so good.”

He doesn’t seem convinced, but he nods, meeting my eyes. “If you want to go, I’ll go with you.”

I beam. “Excellent. I’ll get the tickets tonight. When we talk later, we’ll figure out the date.”

“You’ll talk later?” Taylor says. “Aren’t you talking now?”

Nate scowls at his brother. “We talk on the phone every night.”

Taylor’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Then he grins. “Aren’t you two the cutest?”

I roll my lips together because I know Nate is annoyed, but I think it’s funny. And I happen to agree. I love that we talk every night.

Dani comes back down the stairs, announcing her arrival with pounding footsteps that give me time to remove my hand from Nate’s before she returns.

“Mom said to say hello to everyone,” she calls before racing to give me a hug. “Is it time for you to go, Adalie?”

“Just about. Your dad made me some tea, so I was finishing it while I waited for you to say goodbye.”

“I wish I could see you again tomorrow night. It’s too bad there’s no paint night at Blue Vista anymore.”

“There will be in a few months,” I assure her. “I’ll let your dad know when they start up again.”

“Are you busy tomorrow night?” Dani asks as she helps me gather my things.

“Um. No. There’s a rehearsal dinner, but I’ll be done work early. There’s a wedding on Saturday, so I’ll also need to be there first thing in the morning. It’s the start of my busy season.”

“Do you ever paint what you see at the weddings?”

“Sometimes. Though not while I’m there. I might take a picture of something and try to recreate it like we did with the flowers today.”

Dani walks me to the door, carrying my bag for me, when Nate stops her. “I’ll walk Adalie to her car, pipsqueak. Say goodbye, then go get in the shower.”

Dani sighs, but hands my things to her dad. “Goodbye, Adalie. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.”

“Bye, Dani. See you later.”

She gives me another hug and races up the stairs again.

“Oh, to have that energy,” I say wistfully.

Taylor laughs before holding up his hand in a wave. “See you, Adalie.”

Then Nate is ushering me outside and leading me to my car. As soon as my bags are in the trunk, he spins me over to the driver’s side and presses me back into the door, claiming my lips in a searing kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on to him as his tongue sweeps into my mouth. His hands are on my hips, but one travels a little further down until he reaches the hem of my skirt and his fingers trail along the skin of my thigh until he can grab my ass, pulling me into him.

“Nate,” I whisper. “People might see.”

He shakes his head. “Between the car and me, no one can see. Do you want me to stop?”

Instead of answering, I pull his head back down, kissing him again, arching into him. I lose all track of time as he kisses me, his fingers playing along the edge of my underwear, though he doesn’t try to delve inside. I lose myself in the sensations, partly wishing he would take it further, until he pulls away, smoothing my skirt, our breathing laboured.

“God, Adalie,” he rasps. “You have no idea how hard it’s been to not do that tonight.”

I giggle. “Actually, I do.”

His arms wrap around me, and he rests his forehead against mine. It’s nice to be completely surrounded by him. Peaceful, except for the part of me that wants to tear all our clothes off and climb him like a tree.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks. “You were a little out of sorts when you came in tonight.”

---