Page 34 of Just Me

“Yes.”

“Good to know.”

“You don't have to do anything. Hanging with you and the gang is enough for me.”

“I'll take that under advisement.”

“Why do I get the sense that you are already plotting?”

He framed my face with his hands, “Because you know me so well. Thank you for tonight and for your painting. I really do love it.”

“Happy birthday.”

He responded by kissing me.

***

The smell of oatmeal raisin cookies drew me into the kitchen to find Deena and Carol making a huge mess. Lucky for me, they were just pulling a tray from the oven. I adored their oatmeal raisin cookies.

Carol saw me first and smiled in greeting. “Hey, Lark. You're just in time.”

“What's the occasion?” I asked while settling on a stool at the kitchen island.

“Cheerleading social,” Deena said.

“Where's Aunt Kim?”

“My uniform's a little too big, so she's taking it in for me.”

Not sure why that hurt, but it did. “Oh.”

“There's plenty of cookies, do you want some?”

“Please.”

As I was reaching for a cookie, Carol asked, “Is that boy who picks you up in the morning your boyfriend?”

My face grew warm at the joy of sharing such a girl moment with my cousins. “Yes, he's my boyfriend.”

“Oh, Lark. He's so beautiful,” Deena said dreamily. “What's his name?”

“Bastian.”

“And he drives a motorcycle, that's so sexy.” Carol climbed onto the stool next to me and added, “Are those tattoos on his arms real?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, I bet that hurt.” Deena took a bite from her cookie. “What's he like?”

“He plays soccer and likes to work on cars. He's smart and funny. Kind, like down-to-the-bone kind.” A glance at the girls made it clear they wanted more. “He makes my knees weak and my heart pound. When he kisses me, I never want him to stop.”

“Oh, man.” Deena sounded dangerously close to whining. “You're in love with him.”

“I really am.”

“And him?” Carol asked.

“Fell just as hard.”

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