Page 16 of Anytime I Want

“It wasn’t a coincidence. Number seven. Take me to see the lights. I wasn’t exactly sure what you meant, but I thought this would count.”

I pull back from the hug and press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you. I loved it.”

Graham’s hands flex against my back and I catch him looking at my lips.Should I let him kiss me? No, that would be mean. I can’t do that. Well, I could but I shouldn’t.In the middle of my debate, a huge splash of water sprays into the back of the truck. Nathan slams on the brakes, making us fly forward and Graham hits his head on the window.

“What the?” Graham rubs his head. He grabs me, trying to pull me out of the pillows and blankets and away from the water crashing on us. He looks over the top of the truck, his mouth dropping, and mutters under his breath, “Irrigation sprinklers.”

Chapter 10

Julia

I’m laughing so hard I can hardly climb off of the soaking wet mattress. Graham grabs my hand, pulling me forward, and lifts me out of the truck bed before another round of water can splash me. He isn’t as lucky. He jumps down, water flying off him, while I wipe the water and tears from my eyes. I look over to see him glancing up at the sky, hands on his hips, shaking his head, looking pretty frustrated. I take a step towards him, stretching up to put my hands on his shoulders. He looks down at me, and I reach up to smooth out his furrowed brow. I only manage tosay his name before I start laughing too hard to talk. Graham watches for a second before he starts to chuckle. We lean against each other for support, every minute or so getting drenched with the heavy spray of water until Nathan leans out the window. “Hey! Let’s go. Laugh in the car.”

Graham grabs my hand and pulls me toward the truck, helping me climb in. He jumps in after me and starts looking around.

“Did you lose something?” I ask, trying to contain my dripping hair.

“No, I was hoping that maybe I'd have a towel in here but guess not. Driver, please turn up the heat and take us back to the road!”

Nathan shakes his head lightly, smirking as he blasts the heat. “So, I have a question. Didn’t you plan this? You asked Fletch, right? His granddad said it was fine?” Nathan says.

“Yeah, maybe I got the field wrong? Or the time? I don’t know. I hope we didn’t ruin anything.”

I lean my head against the seat and close my eyes, the warm air and contentment making me drowsy, enjoying the sound of their voices. It only takes a few minutes for Nathan to get us back to his car. Graham slides out of the passenger side, gently closing the door. I hear him thank Nathan, the truck shifting when he climbs in.

“I’m not sure you're awake but I’m sorry our date got ruined.” Graham says softly.

“It didn’t. I loved every second of it,” I say, my guard down completely as I shift to let my head fall onto Graham’s shoulder and fall asleep.

***

Graham

I loved every second of it.It runs through my mind over and over again as I drive toward our houses. She seemed interested. She cuddled with me and teased me. While we watched the meteors, she was constantly glancing at me and smiling.

I loved every second of it.

We pull into my driveway and I gently shake Julia’s shoulder.

“J. We’re home. Do you want me to carry you in?” I am mostly joking but if she said yes, I would jump at the chance to have her in my arms.

“Mmm. I’m so comfy. Carry me? … Wait. What? Carry me? No.” I watch as Julia wakes up and becomes aware of what I asked. She sits up straight and looks a little confused and a lot adorable. “Oh. We’re home. Thank you for the date. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She jumps out of the truck before I can fully process this complete 180. She rushes across the side yards and is on her porch before I finally jump out of the truck.

“Wait! Julia!” I run toward her and grab her wrist to stop her from going inside. “What’s up? Not even a hug? Maybe a kiss?” I waggle my brows at her, waiting for her cheeks to turn pink.

“We don’t kiss, Graham. This is a bet. And you haven’t won yet.”

“Yet?”

“I mean, at all. You haven’t won. Period. Full stop,” Julia stutters.

I let a smile spread over my lips.“I heard yet. We don’t kissyet.” I lift her hand and press my lips to it. “There are eleven more items on that list, and I have three months to get it all done. Don’t write me off. Good night, J.” I wink at her while I let go of her hand and walk backwards toward my house. I can see her face flush in the porch light, and she weakly lifts her hand in a wave before stumbling into her house.

This is going to be fun.

Chapter 11

Julia

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