Page 19 of Just for Tonight

Chapter 7

Beau

Holland lied and said she saw her friend coming, and Beau knew that was permission to kiss her.

"I might go to Arkansas this summer," he said.

"Fine. Good. I want you to," she said, easily.

"I don’t want it to be awkward over there if we do this and then we walk away after, you know, a…"

"A kiss?" she asked.

"Yes."

"You're overthinking it," she said, staring straight at him.

He took her words as a challenge, which they were. "Goodnight," he said to her, giving himself until the end of the word to work up the nerve.

"Goodnight," she replied, assuming he wasn't going to do it.

Holland stepped back to let the car door swing open, and Beau stepped forward at just the right time. He was an athlete, so his spacial awareness was flawless. He stepped close to her at just the right moment and she landed in his arms.

"Oh," she said, gasping a little.

He leaned down and kissed her. Their mouths touched once and then he pulled back and looked at her. He was pretty sure he would never be in another situation quite like this one, so he let it happen again. They kissed twice and then three times. He wanted to open his mouth and kiss her more passionately, but he didn't let himself. He stood up straight and took a small step back after the third kiss, which lingered a little longer.

Holland reared back and slapped him on the shoulder.

"What? I'm sorry."

"Beau Cameron. What's your middle name?"

"Isaac."

She made a fake scowl and smacked him on the shoulder again. "Beau Isaac Cameron," she said.

"What?"

"You’re, like, the hottest guy I've ever seen. Definitely the hottest guy I've ever kissed." She fanned her own face. "And you're a really good kisser," she added. "Whew, Beau. You're going to have no problem getting whatever type of girl you want." She was convinced and sincere when she said that.

He smiled at Holland. She was a character. "Thank you," he said.

"Do you want a ride to your car?" she asked from the driver's seat.

"No, thanks. I don't mind the walk."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She pointed in front of her. "I'm going that way, so at least I won't have to drive awkwardly past you as you walk away.

Beau smiled and patted the top of her car and then took a few steps back, onto the sidewalk.

"Thank you for an interesting evening, Holland. What's your middle name?"

"Ruth."

---