The Love Triangle

The Gathering

Author's Note: Donny's living room. Random I know 😂 but that's  how I envisioned it.

Chapter 19

Amber

I arrived home on Tuesday morning and it felt so good to be back. During the trip, my mother and I had slept over Garnald's house—and I got to say, we had the best time of our lives there. The bond between my mother and I had grown stronger, too.

As I stepped inside my bedroom, I thought about Blake.

Blake—a very hot man and a great kisser.

I think I was falling in love. And to be honest, I would never forget a man like him. He was too amazing. I remembered when we swam naked in Garnald's indoor pool and when he gave me personal massages.

Mmm. Those massages were the best.

His manly, firm hands were the best.

As my mother dozed off to sleep, I headed downstairs to grab a snack. My hand reached to grab a bar of chocolate on the top shelve just when the doorbell rang. I dropped my hand and sighed. I guess I had to wait then. I closed the cabinet and walked to the door. I was surprised and a little bothered to see Donny standing at my porch. He wore long jeans, black boots, and a short-sleeve, black, hooded shirt.

"Hey."

"Hi," I said dryly.

I folded my arms and waited for what he had to say.

"Look, I didn't send those pictures."

"I know, but that doesn't explain why she was in your room."

"She stood over the night because she was hanging out with my sister," he said. "I didn't know she was going to sneak in my bedroom."

"Why were you naked then?"

"I wasn't naked. I had my boxers on."

I released a sigh. Maybe he was telling the truth. Star looked like the type to sneak in his bedroom without his permission.

"I'm sorry that you thought that but nothing happened." He paused and at that moment, he threw me a charming smile. "You know I'm crazy about you. I would never harm you like that."

A bright smile crossed my lips as I glanced down. Every word he said felt like the truth. And I was crazy for him, too.

Suddenly, he stepped forward and closed the gap between us. His warm thumb stroked my cheek before he leaned in and kissed me on the lips. I softly moved my lips with his. The kiss lasted short but sweet. I bit my lip as he pulled away.

"I'll pick you up in an hour."

"Where are we going?"

"How does Italian food sound?"

I couldn't help but smile. "It sounds yummy."

He shot me a grin and walked backwards. His eyes never left mine until he turned and jogged down the porch steps. He headed to his black bike.

I closed the door and ran upstairs to get dressed. I left a sticky note on my door before I left with Donny. The note was for my mother. I scribbled down that I was with a friend and that I wouldn't be home until later tonight.

Donny's motorcycle slowed to a complete stop. We reached the top of a mountain. It wasn't the mountain he took me last time—it was a different one. Near the edge of the cliff, a fancy, red, wooden restaurant with glass windows greeted us. The restaurant's white, oval sign said Italy's Flavor in cursive. A few cars were parked up front.