When we leave Shakes and Stuff, it’s still beautiful and sunny. The walk back to our little houses isn’t that long, and I really don’t wish us back there quickly. I want to walk with her, hold her hand, and just be with her. I adore Shelli, she’s a hoot, but I want to be with Amelia. Only Amelia.
“Have you ever walked back from town before?”
She shakes her head as she walks beside me, leaning her shoulder into my bicep. “Nope. I didn’t even think to walk. Would be nice on the real pretty days.”
“True. I like taking Sadie into town. She enjoys it.”
“Aw, we should have brought her.”
“Next time.”
When she looks up at me, an itty-bitty smile on her face, I know there will be a next time. I’ve been a little wary that this might not happen, but I feel good. Really damn good. She smells fucking fantastic. I don’t know how she always smells so damn good, but she does. In just a pair of short shorts and a thin tee, her hair up in a no-nonsense bun, she’s absolutely adorable. She isn’t even wearing makeup. She’s just her, and I can’t get enough.
“What do you do with Sadie when you’re gone?”
I let go of her hand, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. When she brings her hand up, lacing her fingers with mine, I find myself grinning like an utter fool. It’s just so natural. “She usually stays with my parents. But if they come on the road trip, then she gets boarded, which she absolutely hates.”
“I would too. So next time, she can stay with me.”
“Thanks. She’d love that.”
“I would too. I get lonely.”
“I’d let you borrow her, but sorry, if I’m home, she’s with me. So I think I might have to come along.”
She giggles as she looks up at me. “That might be a problem.”
“Oh?” I ask as I raise my brows.
“Yup. We can’t eat hot dogs in peace if you’re there.”
I chuckle as I shake my head. “Fine. One hot dog.”
“Four.”
“Amelia!”
Her laughter sets my body on fire as she looks up at me innocently. “Fine, two.”
“Two it is.”
“They’re organic.”
“Oh, well, that makes it so much better. Organic can still make you gain weight.”
“Shut it,” she says, squeezing my hand with the sweetest little defiant look on her face.
“You’re so cute when you’re annoyed.”
She glares. Even cuter. “Shut up!”
She joins in on my laughter as she leans into me, and I swear I haven’t had this much fun walking in a really long time. As we walk, we check out the stores we pass, and we make small talk. With Lana, I always had to talk about something that interested her. Which, honestly, wasn’t that much unless it had to do with money or new cars. When I told her I had a plane, she asked when we could go on a trip. She always wanted something from me, but Amelia hasn’t asked for anything.
“So, I need to ask you something,” Amelia says tentatively.
I look down at her, but she isn’t looking at me. “Yeah?”
“Can we not tell Ryan about this? I don’t even really know what we’re doing, and I don’t want to get him worked up over it if it turns out to be nothing.”
“I won’t lie to him, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“No, not at all. I doubt he’ll come out and be like ‘Hey, have you kissed my sister lately?’”
When she looks up at me, I bend my head down to hers, pressing my lips to hers. It’s a soft kiss and a sweet one. One that makes us stop to enjoy it. When I pull back, she’s out of breath, and I smile. “You better hope he doesn’t, ’cause I’d never lie about kissing you. I enjoy it way too much.”
Her cheeks fill with color, as does her nose. “Seriously, can we not go out of our way to tell him that we’re hanging out?”
“Dating?”
“Seeing each other?”
“Dating?” I repeat, and she scrunches up her face as she tries not to grin.
“I told you, I’m not ready for that.”
“Well, sorry for ya, but we’re doing it.”
“We are?”
“Yup. So call it what it is, Justice.”
She shakes her head. “You’re so sure.”
“Damn right.”
Her eyes are challenging. “Fine. Moon.”
I laugh as we start walking, and I pull her close to me. “I won’t tell him.”
She lets out a long exhale. “Thanks.”
“But if we start confessing our love for each other and stuff, I’ll need to.”
She gives me a dry look. “Cool your jets, Moon.”
“Ooh, nice.”
She flashes me a grin. “Right? Like a jet that flies to the moon.”
We dissolve in laughter, and my face hurts from smiling. After a while, our laughs subside, and we just enjoy holding each other as we walk. The sun is beating down on us, and it’s lovely.