Make the seven-layer spider web dip – Check. Make the caramel-dipped green grapes – Check. Put the turkey chili ingredients into the crock pot – Check. She’s only eleven! Why is this even an issue already? I’m really not ready for this… Look over Lucie’s costume to make sure she isn’t showing too much skin or looking too risqué – Check. Get Jamin in his Yoda costume without a tantrum – Check. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” I said, “I’m going to kiss you.”įeed the kids a healthy breakfast – Check. I slid my hand under her hair and wrapped it behind her neck. I smiled, surprised at how flippant the question was after all. “When you go to the grocery store, do you take a list?” She didn’t look down the way she had that night long ago, but looked right into my eyes instead. With her hands on the counter behind her, her guard was down, and her body was completely open to me. But it was the first time I’d heard her say my name, and it gave me a chill in the best way. It sounded like the beginning of a very serious talk, one that I didn’t think was necessary this early into the game. She tried to back away before she remembered her back was already against the counter.

I stopped when I our chests were just an inch or two from touching. First I thought she might be pissed, then I realized she was just trying to figure me out. She narrowed her eyes at me for a moment. “If you want to stay and hang out for a little while,” I said, “I’ve got some cherry Kool-Aid in the fridge.” It reminded me of that night, when I came upstairs to find her in the kitchen. I set the empty pizza box on the counter and leaned against the stove. I got up, too, and took the paper plates and napkins to the trash. Cora got up from the table and took our glasses to the sink to rinse out the Sprite we drank with our pizza. “For the First Time in Forever.” I could relate. I heard music coming from the TV in the living room. I really didn’t want to wait until Thursday to see you guys again.” Or we could wait until Thursday when she comes back over.” “We could go tomorrow night before I take Olive to her mom’s. “What I want… is for us to use them … together.” “We could even draw them out of a hat to make it fair.” I was hoping she’d say we should use them together. “A restaurant gift card and a movie gift card.” “I didn’t get to see them at the school.”

Shiver by Belle Aurora