The Seven Stages of Happily Ever After

Four

I wake later to the feel of a vehicle stopping. My eyes open slowly, and I realize I'm leaning against a window; I'm still wearing Luke's jacket and it takes me a second to realize I'm sitting in his truck, which idles a short distance from my house.

"You fell asleep, and I didn't want to wake you." Luke explains, a small smile on his face. I feel a jolt as I realize he carried me to his truck.

I meet his eyes and see how tired he is; he has to drive back to South Carolina today. I frown, not sure if it's from worry about him driving when he's exhausted, or if it's from my disappointment.

"Sorry to keep you out all night." I tell him seriously, feeling guilty.

He shakes his head, his smile growing. "You kidding? It was worth it." He tells me, his voice ringing with sincerity.

I blush and can't help but smile at his words. "Yeah," I agree, my voice sounding breathy. "I should go."

He sighs, and if I didn't know better I'd think he was disappointed as well. "Yeah," He agrees. I start to open my door, surprised when he opens his own and hops out. He meets me at the front of the truck, and we walk quietly up to the tree outside my window. "So, if your Dad were to find me out here, would I be shot on spot?"

I toss him a glance, laughing quietly when I see he's kidding. "No. Well, hopefully not." I grin at him, as I shed his jacket once we reach the tree. "Thanks for tonight."

He smiles, taking his jacket and shrugging it on. "Thanks for climbing out the window for me."

He's kidding right? I would've scaled a fence to spend the night with him; the sun's peaking over the trees and seizing a moment of bravery before I become a pumpkin again, I lean up, kissing his cheek. "Be safe." I tell him quietly, before turning to the tree. I almost squeal when he grips my hand, spinning me around and pulling me against his chest; his lips meet mine in the next second, and I sag against him, gripping his tee in my hands.

"You're extraordinary." He whispers against my lips, and I exhale softly, trying to catch my breath. He releases me, and I step back, leaning my back against the tree. We share one last smile, before I begrudgingly climb the tree and shove open my window, climbing in. I turn around as soon as my feet hit the hardwood, finding him still standing there; he smiles once more, before jogging toward his truck. He pulls away just and I plop down onto my window seat.

Best

night

ever.

I don't know what I was expecting to happen after my incredible night with Luke. I know what did happen though. I didn't sleep. I waited until eight, then called Izzy and told her to come over. We sat together on my bed as I followed Luke on Instagram, then waited for an hour until he finally followed me back. It took two more hours for her to convince me to message him, and another hour to compose the perfect message to send. It was simple, it was casual.

Did you get back okay?

It took fifteen minutes for him to respond. Ten more minutes for me to actually read it, because with how long these interactions were taking, realization was starting to dawn, and his response was the final nail in the coffin.

Yeah. It was great meeting you, I hope we can continue our friendship.

Friendship.

Such a simple word, and yet it caused a crack in my heart I hadn't been expecting. I'd dropped my head against my headboard, tossing my phone aside as my embarrassment washed over me. I didn't have a right to be so upset; I knew it would only last a night, I knew I was destined to be Cinderella, and yet it hurt me so deeply I couldn't think straight.