Oh yeah, he can. I look back at Zach and mouth “one song” while I hold up a finger. He nods and I turn back to Dane. “Just one.”
“Well then, I better make it count.” He turns and does a head thing to the DJ, who for some reason seems to take notice. “Come here,” he says, holding out his hand. I place mine in his, moving into him. He pulls me tight and we dance to “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain. It feels eerily similar to prom with Evan, if he starts singing in my ear I may lose it. But no, he’s a whisper in your ear guy. “Who is that guy you’re with, Laney?”
“Zach Reece; he lives in our dorm.”
“And what is he to you?” His hot breath caresses my ear and neck.
“A friend, a good one so far.”
“And Evan?” How does he know that? Bennett!
“A better friend, the best.” It hurts a little when I say it.
“And I am?”
“Interesting.” I feel him shake lightly against me, laughing.
“I find you quite interesting as well, Laney,” he doesn’t exactly say it; more like pours it slowly in my ear.
“I’m not.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“What does that mean?” I know my voice is shaking and barely a whisper, but holding a conversation when you can barely breathe is a challenge.
“It means, Laney, that I want to get to know you better.”
“Why?”
“Something tells me, has been telling me, I should.” “Okay, well, I was about to leave.”
“I don’t mean tonight. I’m all for you leaving here as soon as possible. Tomorrow, spend the day with me; whatever you want to do.”
“I’ll think about it.” And I will; I’m actually considering it.
“The song’s over, Laney, so I’ll let you go, for now...but tomorrow,” he says, lifting my hand to his mouth, placing a kiss.
And with that, I go back to Zach, who has detained Bennett, and we head home. Falling asleep, I almost send a text to Evan, but stop myself.
Leave him be, Laney.
Chapter Twenty-One
––––––––
LANEY DAY
––––––––
Laney
––––––––
My phone wakes me up; a number I don’t recognize. “Hello?”
“Good morning, Disney, sleep well?” How does Dane have my number? Not that I mind he has it, but I have got to talk to Bennett about her big mouth.
“Good morning, Dane, you’re up early,” I mumble sleepily. Seriously, do I know a guy who sleeps in?
“I couldn’t wait to get started. I don’t want to waste a single minute of this day with you.”
“I don’t remember saying yes yet.” We both know I’m going to say yes, who am I kidding?
“Ah, but you didn’t say no, and I’m hopeful.” “I don’t know...What would we do?”
“I told you, anything you want.”
“Noooo, you were brave enough to call me, aren’t you brave enough to set the agenda?” I snicker as I put his words back on him.
He chuckles. “Touché, Disney. Yes, if you say I can make the plans, I’d be happy to do so. Is there anything you can’t or won’t do, like any phobias I should be aware of?”
Is he kidding? What the hell is he planning? “Let’s see...I would prefer not to jump off or out of anything. I get cold really easily and I’m allergic to walnuts. Other than that, I think I’m good.”
He’s laughing heartily now. “Oh Laney, you make me smile. Wear comfortable shoes, I’ll be there within the hour.”
“Well, okay then, bossy boots, I’ll see you then.”
When I hang up, I think of Evan. I wonder if he’s spending time with other girls. Time meaning, doing stuff other than sticking his drunken face in their chest of course, cause I’m pretty sure Dane has better plans for today than that.
I shake off the thoughts and jump out of bed, rushing through a shower, brushing my teeth, and throwing on faded jeans, a jersey t-shirt and some red kicks. I quickly dry my hair and pull it through the back of my favorite ball cap; cute earrings and some lip gloss later, I’m set just in time for the knock at the door.
“Good morning,” I say cheerfully, taking a minute to look him over.
Dark, sexy jeans that hang oh so right, a gray henley and Doc boots, still the cross necklace and perfect hair. Looking forward to today—I am! I am!
“So, whadda ya think?” He grins with one side of his mouth and that single cocky eyebrow as he notices my perusal.
“I’ve seen better,” I say with a shrug of my shoulder.
“I haven’t.” He winks...every time I see him.
“Oh, please, like I even remotely believe that. You don’t strike me as a cheesy lines guy, so don’t ruin it now.” I wink at him this time.
He takes my hand, guiding me down the hall. “Disney, I say almost nothing I don’t really mean. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen anything better.”
Giddy with his sweet words, I ask, “so where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He helps me into his very nice silver car. That’s all I know—silver, two doors, not a truck, looks expensive. He walks around the front, which I pay way too much attention to, and climbs in the driver’s seat. “You want music?”
“You know the answer to that.”