“Give me a minute,” I murmur. “I need to touch you.”
She goes still. I swear she’s not even breathing. But then I reach up and brush her hair away from her nape, just like I envisioned and she gasps softly. Her thick, dark hair drapes over her shoulder, exposing her neck, and I lean in, pressing my mouth just below her ear.
A shuddery breath leaves her and she melts into me, turning her head more to the right. “You should stop,” she says shakily. “What if my parents catch us?”
“One more kiss.” I slide my hands along her waist, kissing her neck, her ear, tasting her skin.
“Okay.” She sounds breathless. “But hurry.”
I kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear, “You wore this sweater to drive me crazy, didn’t you?”
“I almost wore a dress.”
“A dress?” I think of all the things I could do to Amanda if she wore a dress. “I like easy access.”
“Stop.” She pulls out of my grip and turns to face me with a stern look on her face. “Now you’re trying to drive me crazy.”
I grin. I can’t help myself. That’s what she does to me. She makes me smile too much. Like I have a problem or something. “We should go clear the rest of the table.”
She sends me a look. One that tells me she’s going to ask a question. “I was wondering. Have you ever helped clear a table before, Jordan?”
I slowly shake my head.
Her eyes fill with surprise, but she recovers quickly. “What about washing dishes? Have you ever done that?”
Again, another slow shake of my head.
“Seriously?” Her voice squeaks. “Well, I’m going to teach you.”
I frown. “What about the cheesecake?”
Amanda laughs and it’s the best sound. I don’t need alcohol or weed or whatever when I have her around to fill me up with her laughter. “We’ll finish gathering the dirty dishes and then we’ll have cheesecake. After cheesecake, we’ll wash the dishes. Deal?”
I pull her into my arms and give her a quick kiss, wishing I could give her more. “Deal.”
“He came over to your house for dinner?” Livvy sounds shocked. Not that I can blame her.
I’m still fairly shocked too. I’d been so nervous yesterday, but the moment Jordan showed up with flowers for my mom and I saw how naturally he talked to my dad like they were old friends, I couldn’t believe how easy the night became.
Jordan enjoyed the meal—Mom was super nervous about that—he laughed when my brother told him stupid jokes and he gave Dad the scoop about the football team and what their chances are to go all the way to the state championship.
I loved watching them talk about football. I got my love for the game from Dad, who has been a Raiders fanatic forever. They’re not the best team, but Dad doesn’t care. He’s loyal to a fault, and while George never showed much interest in football and Trent gave up playing league football last year, I’m the one who’ll sit with Dad and watch the games. Listen to him rattle off stats and explain what’s happening and why certain players make certain plays.
“You two are getting serious,” Livvy says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
We’re hanging out in her mom’s car in the senior lot before the first bell rings. It’s drizzling outside and windy. We don’t want to get out of the car and Liv has texted Ryan multiple times, asking if he’d meet us with an umbrella in the next five minutes.
So far, no response.
“I guess so.” I don’t want to say anything more for fear I might jinx myself—and us. And when I say us, I mean me and Jordan.
“What did your parents think? About Tuttle?”
“They liked him a lot. He brought my mom flowers.” A beautiful arrangement of fall flowers, including sunflowers, which are my favorite. I was jealous of that stupid bouquet too. He hasn’t brought me flowers, yet he gave some to my mom?
Life isn’t fair sometimes.
“Wow, slick. He’s good with parents then. No surprise.” Livvy whistles, making me laugh. “I’m serious! The most Ryan has brought my mom is trouble.” We start laughing even more.
“Your mom doesn’t like Ryan?” I already know the answer. Liv’s mom wasn’t thrilled she spent the night at Ryan’s house for his birthday party, so he has a mark against him. And that’s a pretty big mark.
“She’s getting better. Fitch seems to like him.” Liv makes a face. Fitch is the guy her mom is dating. Liv hates him, says he gives her the creeps. I’ve been around him a couple of times, and I have to agree.
“Did Ryan ever get back to you about the umbrella or whatever?” I glance out the window. The rain is now coming down hard, and the parking lot always fills up with major puddles when a good rain comes through. I’m going to get soaked and look terrible for the entire day if I have to walk outside even a few feet without an umbrella. And the main building is more than a few feet away from my car.
Grabbing my phone, I send off a quick text to Jordan.
Rescue me from the rain and I’ll be yours forever.
I get an immediate reply.