Letting Go

Chapter 2 A Surprise

Since the night that Carter and I had kissed, I couldn’t stop playing it all back in my mind.  I kept wanting to go back to that moment and re-experience it.  It had been about three never ending days since then. 

Tonight, we were going on a date, and I hoped that we would have a night as good as that one again.  He was going to pick me up at my house instead of my dorm since I was visiting my mom and sister for the weekend. 

Ding dong. 

I heard the doorbell chime downstairs.  I took one last glance in the mirror before bolting down the stairs.  My auburn colored hair was wavy and poufy despite the mousse that I had put in it.  Oh well.    

“I’ll get it!” I yelled to my mom who had beat me to the door.  She wiped her hands on her apple red apron and backed away from the front door.

“Alright, alright.  What are you guys doing tonight?  Is it a date?”  My mom’s mouth twitched into a smile which revealed her white teeth. 

“I have no idea yet.  He said he was going to surprise me.”  I opened the door to reveal a devastatingly handsome Carter in front of me.  He wore a blue button up shirt, tan pants, and his usual Converse.  Before I could even greet him, my little sister ran out the door to give Carter’s legs a hug.  She was four and absolutely loved Carter.  Emily was dressed in her favorite pink tutu and had glitter smeared all over her face.  She was a mess!  Her golden colored hair bounced with springy curls. 

“Carter!  Are you going to come over? I think we should play!”  I groaned a little bit, but Carter seemed to enjoy this attention from her.  Carter picked Emily up and held her in his arms, spinning her a little which brought on a case of the giggles from her mouth that was covered in smudged pink lipstick. 

“Sorry Em!  I’m going to be with your sister tonight!”  Emily stuck out her bottom lip and crossed her arms.

“Why can’t I come?” Em balled her chubby fists up tightly. 

“I’m taking Summer on a date!” Her eyes lit up and a grin replaced her scowl.

“Date!  Do you like her?” Emily whispered, but I could still hear.  My mom watched with an amused expression on her face. 

“You can’t tell a soul!  I do.”  Carter whispered while he gave me a wink.  I felt heat climb up my cheeks. 

“I knew it!” She announced excitedly. 

“Emily, we have to go now.  I will see you later baby.”  I took her from Carter’s arms, gave her round little cheek a kiss, and set her down in front of my mom. 

“Bye mom!”  I kissed her on her cheek as well and then they waved us off, closing the front door behind us.

“Hello Summer.  I’m sorry I didn’t get to greet you first but you know the ladies are so demanding.” I laughed at him.

“Well hello to you too Mr. Arrogant.”  We paused outside his baby blue Ford truck, and he kissed my forehead while enveloping me in his strong arms.  Carter always smelled like clean laundry and rain.

“Hey. I’m only kidding.  I only have one girl in my life right now.” 

“And who is that?” I questioned as we climbed into the old fashioned truck. 

“Her name is Summer.”  Carter turned on the engine, and we pulled out of my driveway.  “She is weird sometimes, short, likes good music, likes to bake…She also loves cats and chocolate.  Summer was my best friend too.”

“Was?”  I smiled at his accurate description. 

“Yeah.  But now…I have got the hots for this woman.”