"Emma, Blake's here!" Emma's dad's voice echoed up the staircase.
In her bedroom, Emma looked at her reflection. She adjusted the dark green spaghetti-strap dress, its soft fabric brushing against her skin. She reached up and tucked a loose black curl behind her ear, revealing the small diamond earring.
Tonight, she had even decided to wear a pair of heels, a rare move for her. She wanted this evening to be perfect, but a tight knot of anxiety was twisting in her stomach. Why had Blake been acting so distant yesterday? Sure she had looked at a few other college pamphlets just to see what was out there. Sure, UCLA in California looked amazing, a world away from Miller Creek, but... her whole life was here. Her family, her friends, and him.
Wasn't it better to stay and be with the people she loved than to venture out into the world alone? She sighed, her reflection staring back at her. "Please go well tonight," she whispered. She had endured enough stress this year to last a lifetime.
She started down the stairs, her heels clicking softly on each wooden step.
From the banister, she could see Blake at the bottom, his broad shoulders relaxed as he chatted with her father. They were laughing about something, and a small smile touched Emma's lips as she watched his green eyes light up. When he heard her, he looked up, holding her gaze as she descended.
His eyes ran up and down her body in a moment of unguarded admiration, making her feel like the only girl in the whole world. He looked handsome in his black blazer and crisp white shirt, a world away from the grease-stained clothes she had seen him in yesterday. She stopped on the last step, biting her red lip. "Hey, Blake." he tilted his head to the side. "Hi, Em. Ready to go?"
She nodded, and as she reached the bottom, her father turned toward them. He held out a hand to Blake with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Get her back in one piece, son... and no street racing," he joked. Blake laughed softly, shaking her father's hand. Emma couldn't help but smile from the sidelines.
They seemed to get along so well, and she felt her father could truly see how much Blake cared about her. Her mother was slowly coming around, too; she would have been here if she hadn't had to work.
"Of course, sir," Blake promised. He released her father's hand and gently took hers, his fingers warm against her skin. They walked out to his sports car.
"So, are you going to tell me where we're going now?" she asked as he opened the passenger door for her.
He leaned down and gave her a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead. "Nope. Sit back and enjoy the ride, baby." He closed the door, a low thud echoing in the quiet evening, then walked around to his side. Emma had no clue where he would pick for their first official date, but wherever he chose, she was sure she would love it.
They had been driving for so long that the sun had begun its final descent. Out the window, the sky was a beautiful canvas of orangey-purple, with streaks of vibrant pink and deep crimson. The only thing she could see besides the stunning sunset were miles of dense, green trees.
"Do you recognize where we are yet?" he asked with a smile, looking sideways at her as he began pulling to the side of the road. She raised a brow, looking around. It finally dawned on her. "Ohh, we're at the campsite!"
He nodded, a playful grin on his face. He got out of the car, and she followed. The air was different here, smelling of damp earth and pine needles. "We're going to Loner Land," he said, holding his hand out to her. "Our dream date destination, with the help of Chris." she laughed and took his hand, following him deeper into the woods. He stopped just on the other side of a thicket of trees, his expression growing serious.
"You ready?"
She nodded, and he took both her hands in his, linking their fingers tightly. He pulled her through the last line of trees, and she gasped at the sight before her. A soft plaid blanket was spread out on the grass, surrounded by pillows. A small projector and screen were set up. On the blanket sat two pizza boxes, a variety of chips, and stacks of her favorite candy. The whole area was lit by tiny, twinkling fairy lights that were wrapped around the perimeter trees, casting a magical, romantic glow "Lake, this is incredible. How did you come up with this?" she whispered in awe.
He smiled, a shy shrug of his shoulders. He led her toward the blanket, and she slipped off her heels, crawling onto the blanket beside him. "Well," he said, his voice soft. "This was where I realized I loved you, so it only seemed right that this would be our first date spot."
Her heart leaped into her throat. She turned her head, looking at him, the words echoing in her ears. This was the first time he had ever said that to her.
"Wh...what did you say?" she whispered, afraid she was dreaming.
He turned to face her fully, his expression earnest, his green eyes glowing in the soft light. "I love you, Emma. More than anything else."
She was speechless, frozen in place. The simplicity and honesty of his words shook her to her core.
He smiled at her stunned expression before leaning closer and locking his lips with hers in a slow, deep kiss. It was gentle and sincere, as if he were pouring his whole heart into it. When he slowly pulled back, leaving inches between them, he ran his fingertips over her cheek "Never forget that, okay?"
She nodded, tears welling in her eyes, looking into his. "I'll never forget."
YOU ARE READING
It Started With Hello
Romance***** Emma Pear knew she wasn't the most popular girl in high school. Her nose was usually buried in a textbook, and her grades were as spotless as her reputation for always following the rules. "Nerd" was a label she'd long since embraced. Her pare...
