I waited outside in my driveway. Wyatt would appear soon to whisk us off to the next adventure in our book. All I knew was that I had to bring a zip up in case it became chilly and that it would take a large portion of our day to complete.
My parents had asked why I was up so early on a Saturday, but once I said it was for school, they left it alone. I wasn’t sure if my mom really believed me or not, but she didn’t argue it at least.
Just like clockwork, Wyatt pulled into my driveway and idled while I hopped in.
I shifted my zip up over my legs and faced him. “Good morning.”
“Morning.”
His smile reached all the way to his eyes. Could he feel this energy between us?
After being so close to him when playing guitar, I couldn’t help feeling like everything had shifted, even more now, than when he had kissed me.
“So, where is our destination?”
“Well, one of the adventure dates says we must explore a random point on a map. So, I got out a map of Maryland and my finger landed on Baylin. Have you ever been?”
I shook my head. “Where’d you get a map? I don’t even own a paper map.”
He shrugged. “My mom had some that we used to use. Okay, then Baylin it is. You ready?”
“Surprisingly, yes. Normally I would be spending every second studying for finals, but I don’t feel stressed that I’m not chained to a book.”
His eyes widened before shifting his attention back to the road. “Goody-two shoes doesn’t care about studying? Who are you and what happened to Marley?”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. I didn’t say I don’t care about studying. I just said that I don’t feel like I need to be chained to the books. That’s all.”
Wyatt whistled. “We may just make you adventurous yet!”
I swatted his arm. “Quit that.”
He chuckled. “No, honestly, I’m proud of you. You’ve come a long way.”
“And so have you.”
Our gazes snagged on each other’s and we held it, until he was forced to look where he was driving.
“A week until graduation. Can you even believe it?” I asked.
“Not at all, especially considering the state of my grades three weeks ago.”
He was right. We had struck our deal, not even quite three weeks ago. How could my life have changed so much in such a short amount of time?
“Well, you deserve to walk, just like the rest of us.”
“Thank you.” He gave me a side glance. “So, will you be giving the speech at graduation?”
I snorted. “No! Are you crazy. I’m not a speech person.”
“I think you’d do an amazing job.”
“Well, oh well. I’m not valedictorian. That spot has never been my goal. I pride myself on my goals, but they aren’t that extreme. I’d have to take nothing but AP courses. My college doesn’t even want us to come in with that many credits, so no. Not it. Not to mention, I really didn’t take top courses in everything until Junior year. Standardized tests and me aren’t really friends.”
He chuckled. “Well, I wish I could hear the speech you’d give.”
I feigned silence. I opened my mouth to speak, then closed it, repeating over and over like a goldfish.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“You asked to hear my speech, so that’s what I was doing.”
He laughed.
“I’d be speechless. Way too many people for my abilities. No, thank you.”
“That was actually pretty funny.”
I crossed my arms. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m dorky, but not funny?”
“Not what I said at all. I just thought you were hurt or something. It was a good joke.”
I gave a curt nod and slowly uncrossed my arms. “So, Baylin? Any ideas about it?”
“Not really. I know it’s by the Chesapeake Bay. Like right on it, but otherwise, no.” He winked. “That’s the point. It’s supposed to be random.”
“Right, okay. Well, how far away is it?”
“About another thirty minutes. Then we can walk around aimlessly all day.”
“As long as they have something for breakfast, I’m fine with that. I should have eaten before you got me. I am starving.”
“Want me to stop now?”
“Nope, if the adventure is to explore a random point on the map, then that is what we shall do.”
“Aye aye.”
I fiddled with the zipper on my lap. “Do you really think I’ll need this? It’s almost Memorial Day, it’s so warm already.”
He shrugged. “All I know is that the breeze off the Chesapeake Bay can make the temperatures a little chilly. Didn’t want you to be cold.”
Was that another sign that things had shifted? When we had gone hiking he hadn’t worried about what I wore at all, but now he was thinking ahead?
Get a grip, Marley. It’s just a zip up.
“Can you believe we’ve almost finished these dates?”
I shook my head. “Absolutely not. I didn’t think it was possible to pull myself out of that hole.”
“It was a fine predicament. I guess you got lucky my grades were such a wreck. What would you have done otherwise?”
“Cried most likely.”
“Now that I don’t believe. You would have figured out something.”
“Nothing that would have worked with Andrea. She’s like a bloodhound. She would have sniffed out the truth any other way.”
“Have you set up a time to meet about the book?”
“After graduation, around five.”
“Where?”
“At Hal’s in Chesapeake Hills. She lives closer there so it’s easier.”
He pursed his lips.
“What?”
“You. You have to stop giving in to her demands. She got you the gift, make her drive to West End.”
“No thanks. I’d rather she stays out of town limits. It’s honestly easier for everyone that way.”
“You give her too much power.”
I snorted. “She gives herself power.”
“And everyone lets her.”
He had a point. I supposed if I wanted to take back some of it, I could. She had deemed herself better at knowing about boys, clothes, and hair, but did I really care? Did I believe that made her better? I wasn’t so sure. Being right didn’t seem as important anymore. Would we really keep this competition going between us? We were eighteen. Adults. Shouldn’t that stop now?
Wyatt’s hand rested lazily on the steering wheel as we drove down the road. Signs for Baylin showed it getting closer and closer, until eventually we hit the town limits and saw the welcome sign. As soon as we passed it, the road opened and I could see the water from the road.
“Wow. This place is beautiful.”
Wyatt’s eyes had widened. “Yeah it is. Way to go random point on the map.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “You’ve really never been here?”
He made a cross over his heart. “Not at all. I swear.”
“How can Maryland’s geography change so quickly? This place is stunning.”
“The wonder of Maryland.”
We passed many industrial buildings on the road, until a restaurant came into view.
Wyatt nodded toward the diner. “Want to try there for breakfast?”
“Sure, why not.”
He grinned, put his blinker on, then pulled into the parking lot.
From the outside, a large sign with a big stack of pancakes was clearly visible at least three streets down. If they didn’t have a good breakfast, then they needed to update their marketing.
Wyatt hovered by my side as we walked to the front door. Then he held it open for me, as I walked through the doorway. I couldn’t tell if it was my imagination, or his glances were more nervous than usual.
The hostess ushered us toward a booth in the back, with a perfect view out to the water. I could have stared at that view all day and been satisfied. The water wasn’t far from our town, but you had to really go looking for it. Baylin apparently had beautiful views no matter where you sat.
“Earth to Marley.”
I startled. “Huh? What?”
“Are you going to look at your menu? I think I see drool from you staring out the window.”
I giggled. “I don’t drool.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“Well, for your information, I was admiring the view.”
He reached for my hand, still rested on top of my menu. “We can explore the waterline as soon as we fill up your tank.”
I nodded. “Much appreciated. I really am hungry.”
I perused the menu and as expected, ninety percent of it was breakfast items. The last page of the menu had lunch items, but I didn’t really want lunch foods. Once I settled on peaches and cream crepes, I closed my menu and watched Wyatt.
His gaze was trained on the menu, his hands reaching up to tug his beanie this way and that. When he caught me staring, he arched a brow. “What?”
“Nothing. You’re just looking at your menu so intently.”
“I take breakfast seriously. It is the most important meal of the day. A goody-two shoes should know that.”
I rolled my eyes. “Haven’t we established I am not a goody-two shoes?”
He twisted his lips to the side in contemplation. “I don’t know, have we? Can we really say we’ve broken that mold yet?”
“I think so. I’ve done more in these last few weeks than I dare say I have my whole life.”
He chuckled. “Now that I believe, although I blame you for doing that to yourself.”
My brows knitted. “How?”
“You had the ability to be adventurous if you wanted. I didn’t have to twist your arm for these dates. You just didn’t trust yourself to do it.”
“Hmm. Maybe, but I doubt I would have attempted it on my own.”
An older gentleman sauntered to our table. “Good morning, my name’s Al. What can I start you two off with?”
Wyatt eyed me, letting me go first.
“I’ll have a glass of orange juice and your peaches and cream crepes.”
“A town favorite,” Al said then winked at me. “And for you, sir?”
“I’ll take the same.”
“Two peaches coming right up.” Then he walked to the kitchen to put in our order.
“The same thing?”
“Yeah, why not? You’ve proven you have good taste buds.”
I laughed. “Is that so? Have I won an award since we like the same dessert?”
“It certainly helps.” Wyatt pulled the dish with the sugar packs closer to him as he reorganized the different kinds.
“So, when will you have the song completed? You’re running out of time, right?”
He shrugged one shoulder as he finished taking out all the sugar packets. “We see the producer the Sunday after graduation.”
“That’s next week. Do you have much left?”
“Not really.”
I eyed him cautiously. “Why don’t you still seem happy? I’m sure your family is excited about your talent.”
An emotion I couldn’t name filtered across his expression, then disappeared behind a strained smile. “Yeah.”
Even after the last few weeks, I still knew so little about his family. Something had happened, but he was too tight lipped to tell me much. Did he not trust me? Or just didn’t see it as relevant?
“Well, once it’s over, I hope you tell me how it went.”
He arched a brow and tilted his head. “Invested are we?”
“Well, I am the good luck charm.”
He shook his head. “For someone so superstitious, I’m still surprised Claire named you that. The band does like you, for what it’s worth.”
“The band?”
He shuffled a few more packets in the dish. “Yeah.”
How vague was that? Did that include him or did he just mean Jack and Claire? I fiddled with the hem of my shirt and avoided his glance. I wanted to ask what about him. How did he see me at this point? But the words were lodged in my throat, too swollen to move.
As the silence drowned on, with each of us glancing at the other, Al brought our food and drinks. “Can I get either of you anything else?”
I glanced up to meet his gaze. “No thank you.”
He nodded and returned to the kitchen.
Once my napkin was placed on my lap, I unrolled the silverware so I could cut my crepes. They turned out to be three large crepes, with peaches and cream oozing out of the sides, drizzled with what smelled like peach syrup.
“We could have probably shared one of these. I have no idea how I’ll eat all three.”
Wyatt chuckled. “They are large. I don’t think Rosie’s portions are even this much.”
“Definitely not.” I used my fork to get my first bite and then hesitated before plopping it into my mouth. It was delicious. The cream was more from the buttercream frosting family instead of whipped, and the peaches were fresh and yummy.
When I glanced at Wyatt, I caught him watching me. I dotted my napkin on my face. “What?”
“Nothing. What do you think?”
“Delicious.”
He nodded. “I think so too.”
Our conversation continued to lull as we finished our food. It wasn’t until we had both dropped our silverware on our plates before we discussed anything else.
“Ready to go down by the water?”
“Yes. I can’t wait.”
He threw cash on the table overtop the receipt, then stood and outstretched his hand as I scooted out of the booth.
Intertwining our fingers together, we walked out of the diner and jogged across the street. There was a large walkway that led to a dock and then a small beach.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” I asked.
“Studying for finals. My tutor says I have to at least get a B.”
I giggled. “Smart lady.”
“Yes, she is.” He made eye contact with me when he said it.
My cheeks flushed and tempted me to squirm, but our fingers were still connected. Was his brain focused on our fingers touching too? Or was it just me?
The sound of the water hitting the shore grew louder as we stepped off the concrete path and started down the wooden dock. The air had grown even warmer than before we left.
At the end of the dock, our hands slipped from each other. I toed off my shoes then pulled off my socks and stuffed them inside. The sand beneath my feet was warm, but not burning hot like it would be in July.
I squished my toes between the sand and lifted my chin into the air, soaking in the rays of the sun.
Wyatt’s chuckle pulled me from my thoughts to open my eyes. “What?”
“Nothing, you look so peaceful.”
“And that’s funny?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s nice to see you so relaxed. Who knew it would take the water?”
I rolled my eyes. “I can be relaxed at other times too.”
“I know, like surrounded by books.”
I scoffed and nudged his arm.
He bumped me back, until we both laughed. Then I grabbed my shoes and walked next to him on the shore. “What will you do this summer?”
“Honestly? Not sure. I didn’t really expect to graduate on some level, I guess.”
“Will you stay in West End until September?”
“Depends on how the producer meeting goes I guess.”
My eyebrow rose. “If you get a deal, are you leaving sooner?”
Wyatt shoved his hands in his front pockets. “I don’t know. I don’t like to hope on things that aren’t guaranteed.”
I frowned. Once again his optimism was wounded. Why didn’t he even believe they had a chance? Or even contemplate what it would be like if they did succeed?
“What about you? What awaits for you this summer?”
“Spending time in West End until I move to UPenn this fall. Probably hang out with Sage at her parent’s bookstore.”
“Ah, any particular books in mind?”
“Always.”
He chuckled, then swiped a stray curly strand from my cheek and tucked it behind my ear. “Maybe we will have to take a few adventures too.”
My brows rose. He wanted to make plans with me after graduation? “But all the adventure dates will be done by then.”
“Is that a problem? I like spending time with you, Marley.”
“You do?” The question left my lips before I had time to suck it back in.
“Why is that so hard for you to believe? You are a special person, Marley.”
“I guess.”
“No guessing.” He lifted my chin with his fingers, to gaze into my eyes. “Stop doubting yourself. It may have begun because of that gift, but even without the dates, I would miss being around you.”
“But I don’t usually do these activities. I don’t go on hikes and to concerts. I stay in and read.”
“Then we read books together.”
Was he serious? I had hoped he could see me as more than his tutor and the adventure girl book, but hearing it was different and harder to believe.
He grasped my hand and moved closer. “I don’t have to fake feelings for you in front of your cousin. At this point I have genuine ones, maybe I always have, ever since you had enough courage to walk up to me and demand to be heard even though I had made it difficult.”
“What are you saying?”
My brain focused on the pressure his fingers made on the palm of my hand as it swirled over my skin.
“I’m saying, can I kiss you again, Marley?”
When I looked into his gaze, he had moved ever so slightly closer. He wanted to kiss me? Again?
I nodded because words were stuck in my throat.
“Are you sure?”
I nodded harder.
His hands dropped mine and moved into my hair near my neck. Our bodies slammed together as he pulled us closer. His lips were soft and still tasted of sugar from breakfast. His hands roved in my hair and on my shoulder, until they shifted to just above my waist. Between the touch of his lips and his hands, my body was more than distracted.
I matched his kiss and soon my own hands were holding him closer, running over his shirt at his back. The soft cotton tickled as my hands moved.
When we finally broke apart, we both breathed heavily, trying to regain our breath.
My smile grew as I looked into his eyes and I could finally tell that he meant what he had said. He was just as affected by that kiss as I had been.
“That should have been our first kiss.”
I shook my head. “No. I liked our first one.”
He arched a brow and stood closer to me. His arms holding me against him, rested around my waist. “And this one?”
“Perfect, too.”
He leaned his head down and gently kissed me, his touch feathery light.
I laid my head on his chest as he continued to hold us together. I didn’t want to move from this spot for anything and I wouldn’t forget it any time soon.
But of course, my brain was now overanalyzing everything. What did this mean? Did it turn our fake relationship into a real one?
“Why are you stressing?”
I lifted my head and gasped. “How?”
He chuckled, which shook me too. “I just do. So, what is it?”
“I.” I sighed. “I was wondering what it meant.”
“Well, I’d hope it means we could stop fake dating and do it for real.”
“Oh.”
He leaned back slightly, to see my face better. “That is, if you wanted to?”
“Yes. I’d like that.”
He smiled, similar to his stage smile, but better, because this time it was because of me. “Me, too.”
He shifted his arm, to hold me from the side as we continued to walk down the beach. This was my favorite date of them all.