Best Kept Promise (Best Kept #2)

Chapter 12: I Couldn't Reach Your Face

Song: If I'm Lucky by State Champs

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The outfit I decide to wear consists of black skinny jeans, a white sheer blouse with a black camisole underneath, and black heels. I was going to wear a dress, but then I decided not to. I've been stuck in a skirt all day, I'm not going to push it with a dress my mother forced me to wear once.

It's going to be casual anyway.

While I sit at my vanity, touching up my make up, Ella's behind me with a straightener. I rarely straighten my hair during the summer because of Florida's humidity. But tonight held a small breeze and I wouldn't even be outside that much. Just walking to my car and walking inside my parents' house.

Once I'm ready, I stand and take a deep breath.

"It's going to be fine," Ella assures.

"I know," I say quickly.

"Is this a date?" She asks with a smile.

I shake my head. "No, this is not a date. This is...a favor. Yeah, a favor," I try to convince Ella and myself that this is just purely a favor.

Ella opens her mouth to speak, but then there's a knock on the front door. Bea calls out, saying she'll get it. I already know it's Tyler, but I'm still nervous. I rub my palms together and leave my room with Ella behind. When I emerge into the living room, I have to take a breath because Tyler looks so much better than I expect.

He's wearing the same shirt as yesterday, what looks like a new pair of black skinny jeans, black combat boots, and his hair is tamed and out of his face. It's basically the outfit he wore yesterday, but something is different. Maybe the way I feel is clouding everything. But Tyler always looks good, so my feelings don't cloud that.

Tyler smiles when he sees me and his eyes light up. "Ready?"

I return his smile and nod.

We leave the apartment and I feel a bit lighter when we reach my car. I lean back against the door and let go of a really long breath. Tyler steps forward. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just tired, I guess," I lie. "Are you ready?"

Instead, he steps closer and reaches for my hand. He holds my wrist up and smiles. "Some of it's missing," he says and gestures towards the candy bracelet.

I let out a small laugh. "I got hungry."

"At least it came in handy."

I eye him for a moment. "Did you make that pun on purpose?"

"Maybe," he replies. "But also, it comes naturally so you never know if it's an accident or if it was done on purpose."

I laugh again and open my door. "Let's get this over with."

Tyler walks on the other side and gets in, then we leave.

* * *

We walk up the steps to my house, but Tyler lingers back, walking slowly while looking up at the house. "You used to live here?" He asks.

"It's not that great," I tell him. "But our chef is amazing."

Tyler stops completely. "You have a personal chef? Are you kidding me?"

I laugh and wait for him to catch up. "Her name is Julianna and she's the best. My mom never cooked or cooks and my dad's never home so there's that."