Georgia

Chapter 4

Caroline

This is crazy! I don't know this guy, what am I doing? I've never been out alone with any guy besides James. I can't do this. I'm gonna embarrass myself somehow I just know it! I'll fall or say something dumb or be awkward. I'm walking around in circles in my room in the rental house. I decide to call Michelle.

She picks up on the second ring, "Hey girly, what's up?"

"Oh you know just losing my mind and preparing myself for a night of what's sure to be an unbelievable amount of embarrassment that'll stay with me for years to come." I say in one rushed, panicked breath.

"Awww! There's the dramatic little nutjob I miss so much! What happened?"

I tell her about the day, meeting Luke, me falling, my uncontrollable blushing, his country boy good looks and him taking me out tonight. I left out the part about my flip-flopping stomach and they way my heart beats in my ears the second we touch. I don't even know what that feeling is yet, I can't tell her until I figure it out myself.

"Well damn! I should go play the lotto!."

"The lotto? What?" I say laughing.

"Cause I'm obviously physic, hellooo? I had a feeling you'd meet someone this summer. Being in a new place every few weeks, around new people, you'd finally come out of your shell and it's happening."

"I like my shell," I mumble, pouting.

"Of course you do, you damn hermit!" She says, "But hey maybe if all goes well tonight you can invite him into your shell."

"Oh my god, Michelle! You are horrible!"

Michelle laughs, "So listen because I am just the most awesomest friend ever I may have stashed a cute little dress inside that big ass snow jacket you packed."

"Hey! I didn't know everywhere we'd be going, ok. I had to be prepared."

"Well go get it out, put it on, throw on a little lipstick and go out and have fun! Call me tomorrow and give me all the dirty southern details."

"Ugh! You. I swear. I can't!"

"Love you, Carol!"

I can't help but laugh, "Love you."

I hang up and go over to my suitcase. Right there folded up inside the jacket is a red dress. I put it on, it's strapless, falls a few inches above my knee and is made out of the softest flowered material. It's gorgeous but I feel naked. I put on a black cardigan buttoned up about halfway and some ballet flats. Taking one last look in the mirror I head to the living room.

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Luke

Walking up to the door I'm thinking what the heck am I doing? This girl is so shy, so innocent. Not that I'm a bad guy or anything but she just seems too perfect.

I knock on the door and there she is looking just as beautiful as she did earlier. I open my mouth to say something but the words aren't there. Me? Speechless? What is it about this girl that's got me like this?

"Hi" she says shyly.

"Hey" is pretty much the only thing I can get out.

Man, get it together!

"So, don’t get me wrong you look amazing but if I’m gonna show you a real Leesburg good time you gotta look the part."

She looks down at herself, "Well this is pretty much all I..."

"Don’t worry" I say cutting her off. "I know where we can go."

We’re in the truck driving down the road. I almost miss the turn cause I'm too busy looking at her. We pull up to my sisters house.

"Luke, what are you doing here?" My sister Kelly says opening the door.

"Just came by cause we're having a little clothing emergency." I say gesturing towards Caroline.

"Oh good! Was this pretty girl here able to talk you outta wearing those skintight jeans?" She says with a wink.

"Hey now! I've never gotten any complaints on the tightness of my jeans, Kel. We're heading over to Carter's and I don't want her getting those pretty shoes full of mud."

"Mud?" Caroline squeaks beside me. I turn to her and laugh.

My sister reaches out, "Hi, I'm Kelly. Come on in."

Kelly takes Caroline right upstairs. After about 10 minutes I have to go see what's taking so long. I knock lightly on the door and Caroline says, "Come in."

I open the door and she's standing in front of the mirror wearing a dark jean jacket over her red dress and some brown boots. She looks perfect.

I walk over to her. "Tonight you're gonna let your hair down, city girl" I say while gently pulling her hair tie from her hair.

Her hair falls in long blonde waves around her shoulders. I reach up to tuck a few strands behind her ear. My hand lingers there, running my fingers gently across her cheek. I want to kiss her. I've never wanted to kiss anyone as much as I wanna kiss this beautiful shy girl. I'm moving my face towards hers when the door bursts open and my nieces come running in. I back away.

"Uncle Luke" they yell, jumping up and hugging me.

"Hey you lil' monsters, what are y'all doing? Driving your momma and daddy crazy?"

"Always" they say in unison.

I grab Caroline's hand, kiss Kelly goodbye and we're back in the truck starting what I know is gonna be the best night of my life.