After dinner, Scotty takes me outside. The backyard is just as lovely as the front, displaying the perfect combination of shade and sunlight. A spacious deck overlooks the wide valley of trees, contrasting with the bright blue sky.
"Wow, the view is amazing," I say, turning away from it all to look at Scotty.
He focuses his eyes on mine and smiles subtly, mumbling, “It sure is.”
I blush, realizing he isn’t talking about the valley or the sky.
"So, what time should I have you back?" Scotty asks, checking his watch. "It’s 5:30 now."
"My dad said to be home by eight, at the latest. He and…" I pause and stutter for a second before continuing. "…my mom, are going out to eat. They always like me to be home when they’re out somewhere, so they know where I am and that I’m safe."
"Well, ain’t that sweet," he says with a smile. "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re back at home safe and sound at 8:00 sharp." He nudges my shoulder with his playfully.
We stand there for a few silent moments, just looking out across the valley. The breeze from earlier has settled to a soft whisper of air that touches my cheeks. I feel Scotty moving closer to me, his side leaning against mine ever so slightly. Hesitantly, I lower my head to his shoulder, as his arm gently slides around me.
"Can’t wait until tomorrow," he murmurs into my hair.
"Me neither," I reply as his deep voice sends shivers down my spine.
"So, since we have some time to kill, wanna watch a movie?" Scotty says, rubbing his hand up and down my waist.
I tilt my head up to look at him and smile, nodding. “A movie sounds nice…on one condition.”
"What would that be?" His smile is blinding.
"I get to pick the movie."
He chuckles and whispers warmly into my ear, “As long as I get to pick you, I have no objections.”
* * *
"I never get tired of that ending," I say with a sigh.
Scotty and I have just finished watching one of my favorite romantic flicks, You’ve Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.
"It was pretty cute. But I have to admit, I found myself unable to watch much of the movie anyway. Too distracted." He nuzzles his nose against my ear, causing me to giggle.
I have nothing witty to say in response, so instead I just place my hand ontop of his and we lace our fingers together.
"Well, it’s almost 7:00. We still have an hour before you’ve gotta be back. How does some ice cream sound?" Scotty asks, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"Sounds lovely," I reply.
We stand up and say a quick goodbye to Scotty’s family, with promises to have me visit again soon exchanged.
"It was so nice to meet you, Alexa. I really hope you come back before we return to Garner," Mrs. McCreery says, and surprisingly, she reaches out and gives me a hug. I return it and can’t help but think that her hugs are wonderfully similiar to my mother’s. Or at least what I remember them to be.
"I’ll be sure to visit. Thank you for dinner, it was delicious." I smile at her.
Mr. McCreery stands close to his wife and shakes my hand again, and Ashley’s sweet embrace leaves me smiling long after I walk out the door.
"Your family is so nice," I tell Scotty as we get in his truck.
"Yeah, I’m lucky to have them. So when do I get to meet your parents?"
I turn my eyes to my feet and reply with what I hope sounds like genuine enthusiasm. “Hopefully soon. They’ll probably be busy getting ready when we get there.”
"Maybe Sunday?" he suggests, and I simply nod in return.
We stop at the local Dairy Queen and take our place in line. The sun has gone down and the red and white lights of traffic fill the busy street behind us. I’m just about to ask Scotty what he’s going to order when a familiar voice sounds from behind me.
"Alexa! There you are!"
I turn around and see Erica standing with her boyfriend Randy.
Why now?
"I went by your house to see if you wanted to come to the movies earlier, but you weren’t there." She gives me a playfully-aggitated look, but her eyes are sparkling with curiosity as they land on Scotty. "Who’s this?"
"Erica, this is Scotty. He’s here with his family on spring break. Scotty, this is my friend Erica and her boyfriend, Randy." All of the blood is rushing to my cheeks as the three shake hands, mumbling their hello’s.
"Randy, why don’t you go save a table for all of us? It’s getting crowded," Erica playfully shoves her boyfriend in the direction of the sit-down area and then turns to face me and Scotty with a beaming smile on her face.
"So…how’d you two meet?" she asks.
Scotty squeezes my hand before answering her. “At the park a few days ago. I was driving by, saw her sitting there and…” He cuts off for a second, chuckling softly. “And I decided to go and talk to her.”
"Well, that’s one way to do it," Erica replies, focusing her attention on me. "So are you two like…?" Her eyes flick back and forth between us, leaving the question hanging in the air.
I’m not quite sure what to say.
What are Scotty and I, exactly?
I don’t have to worry, because Scotty answers for me.
"We’ve been…getting to know each other. I’m real glad I met Alexa," he says, smiling over at me. I do my best to smile back, wishing this question hadn’t been so hard to answer. Erica nods, understanding at once. Thankfully, she leaves it at that.
We step up to the window and order our Blizzards before carrying them back to the table Randy is sitting at. I ordered a chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard, my favorite. Scotty ordered a Snickers, and Erica and Randy are sharing a cookies and cream.
The guys talk about sports teams and music, while Erica sends me silent streams of eye communication. When she finally gets me alone, I’m in for it. I stir my Blizzard around, taking occasional bites, still thinking about the way Scotty answered Erica’s question.
We’ve been…getting to know each other. I’m real glad I met Alexa.
He was only telling the truth. So why was I feeling so unhappy?
