Page 16 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

He shifts his focus over to me. “Wow. Hi, you look stunnin’.”

“Thank you. Ready to go?” I side-eye Daddy as his gaze volleys between us, terrified he’s about to embarrass me. He never acted like this with any of Eli’s dates.

“Have a good time, baby girl.” He kisses the top of my head and levels Reed with a glare. “Have her back by ten, and no funny business. You hear me?”

“Yessir.” Reed breaks into a smile so perfect, it’s worthy of any parents’ trust. My chest warms at the sight.

We walk toward the car. “I hope it’s okay we’re goin’ to the lake. I brought some food and a blanket to lay out.”

“Like a picnic?”

“Yeah, just like that.” He grins.

“Sounds perfect.” I link my arm through his.

The lake is quiet for a Saturday night, just a few people having a bonfire down the way. Reed spreads out his checkered blanket and we settle in. He opens up a basket, pulling out various meats and cheeses, a baguette, and some grapes. My eyes widen as I realize how much effort he put into this.

“I was plannin’ on an actual meal, but was told this would be better to woo you with.” He hands me a cup of sparkling cider.

“You were told, huh?”

“That’s right.” He grins. “By a very wise woman, so I thought it was best if I took her advice to heart.”

I hide my smile behind the lip of my cup. “Reed Stanton, did you ask your mama for help with this date?”

“I figured it was worth the risk.”

“What’s the risk of goin’ to your mama?”

“Well, there’s one of two possibilities. The first is that come Monday, you’ll be tellin’ the whole school how much of a Mama’s Boy I am.” He pops a grape in his mouth, chewing slowly.

“And the second?”

“The second is you’ll be tellin’ them you’re mine.”

My stomach jolts with butterflies.

He leans in closer. “Now, I may be biased, but I’m hopin’ for number two.”

Heat rises to my cheeks as I open my mouth to respond, but he puts a finger over my lips. “I know you wanna profess your love now, but I need you to keep me on my toes. I thrive under pressure.”

He moves his finger, the corner of his eyes crinkling as he watches me throw my head back and laugh. “Lord, you’re cocky.”

He chuckles. “Always confident, never cocky. How do you think I win us all those games?”

Before long the sun dips below the water, the moon rising to take its place. I drain the last of my cider and lie back on the blanket.

“Gorgeous out here, isn’t it?” Reed settles in next to me, reaching for my hand. He laces our fingers together and it feels... nice. “I always love comin’ out here when it gets dark. There’s just somethin’ about how bright the stars shine, you know?”

I hum my agreement, staring up at the sky. It’s been the perfect date. Thoughts of being Reed Stanton’s girl should be the only thing in my head.

But they’re not.

Instead, my mind is filled with all the nights I held another boy’s hand, under a glow ‘n stick sky, telling him he was bigger than the stars.

7

Chase

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