NUMB

7

"Did I wake you?" he asked softly.

"No, I just went for a run," I answered trying to sound calm. So exited he called so soon I almost tripped running up the stairs.

I giggle.

"We thought we'd all go to the beach and then grab dinner at the diner? he asked,trying to sound calm himself.

"Sounds good, when?" I asked looking at the clock, knowing I need a shower after my run.

I was tapping my feet on the stairs, so ready to just be with him. I wanted to scream or throw up, which I don't know, but I almost couldn't contain it.

"11?" he asked, only giving me thirty minutes.

"I'll be ready, I need to grab a shower," I answer trying to get off the phone, even though I really don't want to.

I did my norm, threw my wet hair in a sculpted bun on top of my head, put on my suit with tiny rugged cutt offs and a tank, put on my tevas, grabbed my phone and my shades and ran down the stairs. I ran out the door, as soon as Lanes jeep pulled up.

Our eyes met as I climbed in and I flushed as his beautiful smile turned into that already too familiar wide smile that melted me. "You didn't give me a chance to come to the door?" he questioned softly, like it bothered him, as he brought my hand to his lips. "I'll wait next time?.....If that's what you want?" I answer, just as softly looking down at my hands. "It's what you deserve" he whispers, pulling up my chin. He puts his arm around me with his hand rrsting on my stomach. I can tell by the slight movement of his tongue across his lower lip, he wants to kiss me. I flush and look away, and they all three chuckle. "Shut Up" I say, a little embarrassed, but they all three chuckle again as he pulls me up against his chest.

"Is it bad that I missed you?" he whispers softly, caressing my arm. "I missed you, too... so I guess not?" I question softly as he plays with a loose lock of my hair. I could see Lane watching on and off in the rear view mirror, he didn't look happy.

I wonder what's bothering him?

Dylan helped me down, with his hands on my hips. Our bodies brushed together and my stomach clenched. I could feel his heavy breath on my neck, just as Kate tugged on my arm.

"Are you sure?....You're really okay with all this?" she asks, with a cautious smirk. "Yes, we are having fun, we are getting to know each other, why?" I ask curiously. "I just don't want you to get hurt, we kind of planned to introduce y'all, but we didn't have to. Fate stepped in and you found each other anyway." She smiled cautiously. "Did he know y'all were gonna set us up?" I ask still curious. "No, we were just going to introduce y'all at the party, but Lane said the moment he saw your picture......" and she stopped, smiling at me. "Picture?" I asked still curious. "He saw your pictures all over Lanes room and was able to match your face with everything Lane had told him, and he was already interested, we didn't have to mention it at all," she tells me rambling, happy.

We both smile.

"I just wouldn't forgive myself if you got hurt anymore than you already have been, you know I love you," she says sweetly as she hugs my shoulders. "Kate, whatever happens, I would never be upset with y'all over it. We are.....we are just spending time together, getting to know each other, we'll just see what happens, okay?" I tease her and we both smile.

"May we interrupt?" Lane questions shaking his head with a slight scowl.

I look up to find Dylan smiling, eyes sparkling, as though he'd heard me and liked what I had just said.

We both laugh as we remove our tank tops and cut offs. My suit was new, black and a little skimpier than I was used to. Kate knew it made me self conscious, but smiled when it was all I had left on. "You look amazing, Carly!" she whispered, as I tried not to look up for fear he'd be staring at me. "You've got all day to oogle her, let's get this stuff unloaded?" I heard Lane bellow to Dylan.