Page 111 of All In Good Time

Marty pulled to a stop and rolled down the passenger window to look at them.

Nicole groaned. “Of course, he’s on time today. Does he know?” Nicole asked. Becca shook her head. He watched them with furrowed brows. “Yes! Okay. Tell me later. Don’t youdaretell Marty until I know. I want to rub it in his face that I knew something first.”

Becca neither confirmed nor denied Nicole’s request—no,command—as her friend ran and jumped into the passenger seat of Marty’s car. Becca followed and peeked into the window as Nicole closed the door.

Marty looked at her, and Nicole pursed her lips. “Do you need a ride home?” he asked, clearly noticing that she didn’t have her mom’s car.

Nicole shook her head aggressively. “No, no. She’s fine. She’s staying after to get some extra credit.” Nicole gave Becca a knowing wink, clearly satisfied with her lie.

Becca raised her brows. “Uh, yeah.”

Marty shook his head. “You need to let loose a little. Take a break and go out to do something fun for once.”

Becca smiled genuinely. “I’ll call you when I’m ready to do that.”

“It better be soon.” He put the car into drive, and Becca stepped away from the window. Marty gave her one final wave. “Bye, Becks.”

She waved and watched the car leave, ignoring the way Nicole wiggled her eyebrows. She’d be lucky if Nicole didn’t burst and tell Marty about it herself.

Derek was in his car by the time she started to cross the parking lot, but she felt him watch her the entire way over. Frankly, she was surprised he wasn’t out and walking to her himself.

He was always one to make a scene. But it wouldn’t be much of a scene when only a handful of students lingered by their cars. Most of the student body had already disappeared to their homes and activities away from school.

Still, her mind got carried away. She imagined him leaving his seat, crossing the parking lot and hugging her, pushing his lips against hers where everyone else could see.

Her eyes widened, and her thoughts screeched to a halt.

Was that something Derek would do, or was that just what shewantedhim to do? Maybe a bit of both.

But it didn’t matter, because it didn’t happen. She reached his car and opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.

She lifted her hand and gently pressed the back of her fingers to the warmth on her face, avoiding Derek’s hawk-like gaze. She pretended to pay attention to the handful of people eyeing them through the windshield.

His grin burned into the side of her face.

“I guess you haven’t told your friends about our date yet?” He leaned a little closer, studying where her fingers pressed against her cheek. The tease dripped from his voice like caramel. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? You’re looking a little red.”

Oh, he knew what was wrong. She could see the understanding, right on top his teasing smirk. He knew exactly what he was doing to her just by simply existing.

“Oh, shut up.” Try as she might, she couldn’t fight the smile that fought its way to her mouth. “Let’s go.”

“As you wish.” He gave her one more charming smile and then turned on the car and revved before running out of the parking lot.

This all felt normal. It felt perfect.

Like the last couple months had never happened and she was back with her other half, driving around Highburg like they loved to do. The only thing that was noticeably different was the route they took, heading east out of town toward Richmond. Derek still played his music on the stereo, he still tapped his fingers on the wheel in that way she loved, but their eyes would meet every few seconds, and her chest would flutter…a reminder that thiswasn’tnormal.

Not for them.

This was a date. One that Derek had asked for explicitly, right before kissing her on the mouth for the third time.

That wasn’t normal, and Becca wasn’t sure how to act sitting next to him anymore.

It took some effort to keep her nervous hands still, but they fidgeted when she wasn’t making a conscious effort. Her fingers played against each other, a comforting technique that gave her away. On top of biting her lips and staring intensely out the window to avoid Derek’s glances, she was a picture-perfect example of an anxious girl going on a first date.

It wasn’t actually her first date. She’d been on four other dates before, and she’s had some mild flutters right before those, but nothing likethis.

God. What was happening to her?

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