You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Seventeen: Fall

Phillip looked a little bewildered on the drive home, so I did my best to explain the Greek family dynamic. He understood the old-school traditions a little better by the time we reached my house, but he still couldn't wrap his head around why anyone would want to hide my looks.

I definitely wasn't telling him the Torri story.

He pulled the Corvette to the curb and shifted into park.

"Thank you," I said, smiling. "Tonight was perfect."

I reached for the door handle, but Phillip leaned across the center console before I could open it.

"Tia..." He laughed softly. "You look incredible. I know I've said that a hundred times tonight, but I can't stop. I honestly don't know how you're going to top this tomorrow."

I grinned, letting a little sass creep into my voice.

"Oh, I have my ways."

His smile widened before he leaned in to kiss me.

Our lips met for a brief moment. His mouth was cool against mine, and when he tried to deepen the kiss, I instinctively pulled back.

"Phillip," I whispered with a nervous laugh, "the boys will be here any second. I'd really like you to survive long enough to take me tomorrow night."

It was only half the truth.

The kiss had been...

Fine.

Perfectly nice.

Perfectly sweet.

But there was no spark. No rush. No wildfire that made my knees weak.

Just...fine.

He rested his forehead against the steering wheel for a second before chuckling.

"You're worth every bit of this, Tia." He looked back at me with that easy smile that made him impossible not to like. "I'll pick you up at six."

He shook his head.

"No...let me rephrase that. I can't wait to see you at six."

My smile softened.

"I'll be ready."

Just as Phillip pulled away from the curb, Jim's truck rolled into the driveway.

Thank God.

One disaster successfully avoided.

I hurried past Steve and Torri without so much as making eye contact and slipped into the house.

Mom, Aunt Mary, and Anna were still sitting in the living room waiting for me.

Anna let out a loud whistle.

"Well, look at you!" she exclaimed. "Tia, you're stunning. I thought the dance was tomorrow."

"It is," I answered. "Tonight was just the football game. My date's on the court ."

I glanced toward the hallway.

"I'm going to change. Are you all staying up?"

I silently begged them to say yes.

The last thing I wanted was to be left alone with my cousins...

...or Torri.

Aunt Mary smiled warmly.

"No, honey. It's late for us. We'll talk in the morning."

Anna stood and stretched.

"I need my beauty sleep if I'm supposed to outdo this outfit tomorrow."