Stay (Completed)

Chapter 3- Beverage Choices

Maria’s POV:

Whoever this guy was he was definitely holding my attention. I just couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He was jogging beside me as I pointed out the local shops along the beach that were the best for getting hot dogs or ice cream.

Once we reached the point where I usually turn around and head back, right by the lighthouse, he turned to me and looked like he was about to say something but then stopped.

"What is it?" I asked, curious.

"Nah it's nothing really." He said shaking his head.

We had both stopped and stood facing each other with the sun high above our heads.

"Well come on, I know you want to say something. What is it?" I asked again making him look at me this time when he replied.

"Well…that's my house I am renting up there, on the other side of the light house...and I was going to invite you for lunch..."

He left that statement dangling in the air. I didn't know what to say and I was going to politely decline, as I had only met him the hour before, but then he looked at me with hope in his sparkling blue eyes and I just couldn't say no.

"Sure! Sounds fun." I replied smiling at him. He looked pleased...and kind of excited. I hope this goes okay...

Evans POV:

We walked up through the dunes to where the house my dad picked was. After walking around the pool to the sliding glass doors, I opened the door for her and ushered her inside. Once we were inside I still couldn't believe what I had done. I asked her to come to my house for lunch. I had just met her an hour ago and I was already asking her to come and practically meet my family. I guess I just couldn't help myself.

The whole jog here had been so much fun. I could joke around with her and she would laugh a beautiful laugh that fit her so perfectly it was crazy. The way she talked about this town, with so much love and enthusiasm, made me want to stay here for the rest of my life. She didn't talk about it like she was trying to make me stay here though, like it was a shiny town where everything was perfect. She talked to me like it was a part of her that she wanted me to know. It was crazy that we had only met an hour before but we got along so well.

We walked into the kitchen where my dad and brothers were sitting down for lunch. My dad had gone shopping while I went on my run and he was preparing hot ham and cheese sandwiches for the family. Hopefully he had enough for one more.

"Hey dad, I'm back."

"Hey Evan, I'm just about to make some lunch. Hungry?" He asked, but his back was still to me so he hadn't noticed Maria yet.

"Hey! Who's that?" Jack questioned, pointing at Maria.

"Yeah! Who's your new friiiiend?!" Tommy added.

My dad turned around and looked a little stunned to be honest. Maria looked a little shy so I put my hand on her back and we stepped forward.

"Dad, this is my new friend Maria who I met rather by accident who has been so kind as to show me around the town and beach area. I invited her back for lunch so I hope that's alright." I added the last part even though I knew my dad would always love to share his ham and cheese sandwiches with anybody. They were one of the only good things he could cook.

"Of course that's alright! It's nice to meet you Maria, John Thompson, you can call me John," my dad said as he stepped forward to shake her hand, "I see you have already met my oldest Evan but these two rug rats here are my twin boys Tommy and Jack."

"It's nice to meet you all." Maria replied.

She still seemed a little shy but what could you expect, she had been out for her daily jog and I had ran into her, literally, and then asked her to have lunch with me and my family.

"Well I'm thirsty. Did you buy some drinks from the store?" I asked my dad.

"Yeah they're still in the car I believe."

"Alright, would you like to come get them with me?" I asked Maria.

"Sure." She whispered and followed me to the garage.

As we entered the garage I turned to her and asked if she was okay.

"Yeah I'm good...why?" She asked.

"Well...," I hadn't expected her to question me, "You just seemed nervous or worried or something and I wanted to apologize if you didn't want to come or if you have other plans or something..." I honestly didn't know what to say to her.

"No, no I agreed to come remember! And I will admit I was nervous...just because I didn't want to mess anything up..."

The last part was added in a rush as if she was unsure of herself. What she didn't want to mess up was beyond me. All I knew was that I didn't want to mess up this day. It was the first time in a while where I have talked to someone and they didn't know about my mom. Maria didn't look at me like she was sorry and pity me. She didn't know my past and that excited me. I could tell her when I wanted to.

That's the bad thing about living in a small town in Wisconsin; everyone knows you and your business. You could change the seating arrangement in your living room and the next thing you know someone asks you why you switched the recliner and the couch. Maria and I could get to know each other the right way, without our parents telling us each other’s life story.

"Looks like there is water, Pepsi, and Root Beer. Which would you like?" I asked Maria.

"Um Pepsi is fine for me I guess."

"I guess? Are you a little uncertain of your beverage choice?" I asked jokingly, trying to get her to laugh. It worked.

"No no I was just spacing out and I wasn't prepared for the ultimate beverage decision!" She said laughing.

"Okay whatever you say!"

We laughed our way back into the house and helped my dad prepare our lunch. Once it was ready, the whole family was laughing and having a good time. I'm glad this turned out alright. Maria seemed fine and I was happy that she was happy. I still couldn't believe I just met this girl.