Southern Hospitality

Chapter 13

It's been a week since Luke and I kissed. I think about it everyday the way his lips felt were perfect and I swear there was a spark. We haven't talked about it at all and went about life like it never happened. 

I was currently in the living room working on my next project. A couple wanted to renovate their entire house so there was a lot of planning to get done. There house was in the city and had a lot of space but their demands plus budget didn't match well

Nana walked inside and started pulling food out of the fridge "Evie, go tell Luke to take a break and eat" she yelled 

I got up and did what she asked opening the backyard door. I walked outside and saw Luke painting a few pieces of wood with his headphones in. I tapped his shoulder and he turned towards me and gave me a smile 

I started to blush thinking about our kiss again "nana said to come inside and eat" I nervously said. He dropped what he was doing and followed me into the house 

"Luke, I tell you to take more breaks. Its too hot out there for you to be sitting in that sun bakin" nana scolded him as he laughed taking a seat at the dinning table 

"I'll be okay, Abigail" he replied eating some of the bisects she made last night. I went to the stove and started making myself a plate nana made greens, baked chicken, and potatoes for lunch. 

I felt Luke's body heat behind me as he reached over for a plate. My heart started to beat fast as he was so close I moved over to give him more room to get some food 

"Sorry, if I scared you" he said quitely 

I snapped my head towards him "no, you didn't! I'm all good" I giggled. We fell into a simple conversation and went to sit down at the table with nana. I didn't even notice her watching us or the fact Luke sat directly next to me. Usually he's on the opposite side or near nana

"Do you want the drumstick?" Luke asked placing his on my plate 

"Oh, no I'm fine with the breast" I tried to protest but he didn't listen as he kept eating. I lowered my head and smiled from his gesture I never told him I preferred the drumsticks

"Luke what are we doing for Landons birthday" nana asked 

"Birthday? Omg  when is it?" I said looking at him shocked he never mentioned it 

"Yea, it's August 22nd and I was thinking a small party at my house. Nothing too much he really wants to go to the zoo so I was going to take him after" Luke answered nana

His birthday was on Friday! How did I never know? Time moves so fast I started thinking of presents to get him it was short notice but I could get it done fast. Have they started planning anything? 

"Do you need help decorating" I offered. Landon deserved a huge celebration and I loved birthdays they were another excuse for me to decorate something. 

"Yes, he does! I've been telling Luke to get started on that before it became too late" nana added 

"Your help would be great Evelyn" he said holding my hand. I smiled at him excited to start. We didn't have much time so we had to move fast

"Ok, great! We don't have much time but I was thinking we doctorate your kitchen. He likes animals so maybe we get a bunch of his favorite animals then have a homemade cake! This can all take place in the morning so he can spend the rest of the day at the zoo" I went on rambling my ideas

I was so excited and kind of mad Luke never told me his birthday was coming up. Nana laughed at me as I was going crazy with the ideas 

"I like that" Luke said squeezing my hand

...

"Luke! Do you think he'll like this" I asked shoving a stuffed lion in his face 

"Evelyn, I think you've picked enough stuff" he said pointing to the three bags I had him carry. You could say I went crazy in the present department but they all special meanings

"You only turn 8 once" I whined trying to get him to agree with me but it wasn't working 

"He has a lot of lions already and I think its time we leave the store" he said dragging me out the store. I guess he was right I did get him a lot of stuff already and needed to wrap the gifts for tomorrow's celebration. 

We left the outdoor mall and hopped in the car. Everything was ready for Landons birthday I went to the local party store and picked up a bunch of animal decorations they were even going to deliver a balloon that said six.

"I can't wait to see his face" I clapped my hands thinking about Landons reaction. I wanted to do something special for him since these past few weeks have been a bit crazy. 

"Yes especially knowing you orchestrated everything" Luke said resting his hand on my leg. When it came to our relationship I was so confused we had normal conversations like friends but when he would hold my hand or touch me it felt intimate

I've been too scared to ask but Luke was making my heart flutter everyday. Hanging around him I've experienced so many firsts back home I was in this bubble but with him he changed my entire perspective 

We pulled up to his house and I rushed inside with the bags. Savannah agreed to take Landon for the night so we could decorate the house since the teacher conference I haven't spoken to her but Luke said they've been better. I was proud to hear that they were cooperating for Landons sake 

"Where do you want me to put these?" Luke asked holding the balloons 

"Ouuu, they came! Put those over near the counter I'm going to spread the little action figures across the table" I said opening the bag and placing them everywhere

It was currently 9pm and Savannah would bring Landon over around 9am tomorrow. Nana, Amber and George would come before that with the sweets so all Luke and I had to do was decorate 

After I finished the table I asked Luke to hand the banner that said happy birthday across the microwave. My vision was coming together 

"Ok, I think that is everything. We'll put the cake on the table now we have to wrap the gifts" I said pulling Luke to the living room so we could start wrapping 

I pulled out the lion paper I got from the store and lined up the toys I got him. There was a farm lego set that I found to be super cute then I got him his own mini tool set because I know how much he looks up to Luke. 

The last gift was an iPad I didn't tell Luke about this purchase because he would make me return it but i really wanted to get it for him. When I pulled it out I watched Luke give me a stern look

"Eve... you didn't" he started 

"Don't get mad I know you told me not to but its just an iPad mini and guy at the store sold me" I whined giving him a pout 

Luke began to shake his head and laughed at me "He's going to be real excited about that"

I laughed happy he wasn't too mad. I just wanted Landon to have the most memorable birthday