Page 29 of His Shy Girl

“What if my parents come out?”

I look up, seeing how all the windows are fogged. If they come outside, they won’t be able to see in, but they’ll sure as hell know what’s happening. “Do you really think they’ll wake up?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No.”

Then it’s settled. I reach for the hem of her pajama pants and slide them down. It looks like my girl doesn’t like to sleep in underwear, which has me stiffening in my slacks. I run my hands down and part her thighs, ready to dive in.

“Willow! Are you out here?”

Her mother’s voice has me shifting back to my seat. My girl sits up, frantically working to get her clothes back in place. What the hell is that woman doing awake?

“Does she usually wake up this early?”

“S-s-sometimes she has a h-h-hard time s-s-sleeping. Can you r-r-roll down your w-w-window?”

I do as she asks, and Willow leans over me. “M-m-mom I’m in h-h-here.”

Mrs. Carber comes walking over, tightening her bathrobe as the frigid air gives her a chill.

“It’s freezing out here, Willow. What are you two doing out here this late?”

“T-t-talking.”

“So, is everything right in the world again?” She smiles, looking toward the front windshield. “Judging by how fogged up the glass is, I’d say you two worked out your differences.”

“It’s not what you think, Mrs. Carber. We were just talking.”

Her eyebrow goes right up. “I was a teenager once, my dear boy. There is little steam in talking. But I’m glad to see you two have talked things through. Now, I think it’s time for Willow to come in and for you to get on home before your mother starts to worry. Wouldn’t you say?”

My mom probably assumes I’m sleeping at Chase’s house tonight, but I’m not going to argue with the woman. I want to stay in her good graces.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry for keeping her up so late. Would it be all right if I took her out on a date tomorrow?”

She smiles broadly. “You’ll have to ask her, but you have my permission.” She winks, and I turn toward my girl.

“What do you say, baby? Can I pick you up at six so we can have a do-over? Just the two of us?”

She nods, and her blushing smile hits me in the chest. “I’d like that.” She leans over and gives me a quick kiss on the lips before she’s hopping out of my truck and running around to go in with her mom.

“Good night, babe. And good night, Mrs. Carber.” Her mom nods with a smile and wraps her arm around her daughter’s shoulders, leading her back inside. I pick up my phone and quickly text her the words I would’ve said had her mom not been there.

Me:Love you, baby. Sleep tight. And text me when you wake up. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow, and I promise I’ll finish what we started.

And I’ll make sure we’re some place where we won’t be interrupted.

19

Willow

Igo to the box and start pulling out another stack of books, filling the cart until there’s no more space. Mrs. Wiseman has been out sick all week so I’ve been helping out the substitute. She doesn’t put back any of the returns during the day, so there have been a lot for me to shelve at the end of the day. Usually, I don’t mind, but these days, I’ve been eager to get done so I can go see Brennon.

“Hello! Earth to the Carburetor!” I turn at the sound of the snippy voice, realizing I’d been daydreaming about my boyfriend again. “Finally. I knew you were dumb, but I didn’t realize you were deaf too.”

Morgan’s comment shouldn’t bother me, but it does. She’s a bitch towards everyone, yet somehow, she’s popular. Go figure. And for as long as I’ve known the girl, she’s been rude to me.

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