There's Only You ✔

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Garrett was in a blazer with a white tee shirt underneath and contacts in his eyes, as opposed to his glasses. He was holding a bouquet of red roses—my favorite—wrapped in brown paper. His eyes were scanning me up and down and a growing smile appeared on his face.

"Wow," he said breathlessly. "You look beautiful."

My cheeks couldn't get more red at the compliment. I always felt awkward accepting compliments, but coming from a good-looking man, I took it with a bright smile. He offered his hand for me to hold and led me to his brand-new looking BMW.

"Have fun you two!" Olive yelled from the front door. "But not too much fun!"

I twisted my body around to shoot daggers at her, but the deeper blush that spread to my cheeks decreased the intimidation level by a thousand percent. Garrett opened the passenger door for me and once he sat next to me, he held his hand out for me on top of the center console.

An unexpected kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttered around in the core of my stomach. Even my palms were beginning to sweat, but him holding the door for me and holding my hand while he drove was all I wanted in a boyfriend.

I only wanted someone who would treat me with respect and with the love I deserved—even if it wasn't Kayden. Shortly after, we arrived at the beach parking lot. It was a beautiful view; with the sun setting, vibrant colors of yellow and orange erupted into the sky.

Garrett told me to stay right here as he got out of the car to open my door for me again. Hand in hand, we walked down the hill together, being kissed on our bare skin by the chilly breezes the evening provided.

While Garrett was paying for our frozen yogurts, I spotted a guy around our age that looked similar to Kayden. I simply shrugged it off and waited for Garrett when I felt a hand on my wrist. Electricity shot every vein and blood cell in my body at the smallest touch. Kayden dragged me outside the shop and slammed me against the wall.

He peppered my neck and shoulder with sloppy kisses, his tongue leaving a moist trail on my skin. My heart was beating so quickly, I feared for my cardiatric health. My hand clutched the back of his shirt and my temperature increased to a dangerously-high number.

Reality reminded me that I was still here with Garrett when he asked me if I was alright. My frozen yogurt was in my hand and the guy that looked like Kayden was sitting in a booth with a young girl.

Well, that was as weird as shit...

-

I hadn't been to the Santa Monica Pier in a long time and I forgot how much fun it was. We'd been stuffing our faces with pizza and cotton candy. We played games at the booths, like the basketball hoop one where Garrett was determined to win me the biggest teddy bear prize.

Once the stars were dotting the sky, we rode the ferris wheel to see the overview of the moon reflecting off the ocean. He took a selfie of us to post on his Instagram and I took a picture of our high view of the park, including the foamy waves crashing against the sand. We ended the night by sitting on the beach, watching the waves hit the sand with my head on his shoulder.

As someone who grew up on the west coast, I loved going to the beach. Half of my birthday parties were thrown there and it was easy to fall in love with the peaceful serenity of the noises of the water. It was like walking home whenever I went to the beach.

"Zach told me that you didn't have the best experiences with relationships in the past. He didn't go into detail. Said it wasn't his place. He said that the only way he would approve of me asking you out is if I promise to treat you right. Would it be a terrible thing to ask you what happened?"