Amy
Approaching my house, I feel as though I walk on pillowy clouds. While I enjoy my time with Lucas and the boys, I lacked faith in our evening alone. Seven hours passed in the blink of an eye. I thought a perfect date didn’t exist, but Lucas delivers an amazing evening that will live in infamy in the record books.
We share food and conversation like old friends. We tease and laugh, sing and even dance. Lucas shows me a magical night amongst the history, music, and tourists in Deadwood.
I long to slow my pace, prolonging our walk back to my place.
I now know exactly how it feels to never want the night to end.
“Did you always want to work with children?” Lucas asks as we round the corner onto my street.
“I thought I wanted to be a teacher for bit, but college really wasn’t for me,” I share. “Mia’s nanny job fell into my lap at the exact moment I needed it.”
I pray he doesn’t ask why, because I’m not sure how to explain it all.
“Are you close with your family?”
Okay. I guess I can’t avoid this question if I hope to spend as much time as I can with Lucas before we go our separate ways.
“Mind if we sit on the swing for a bit?” he asks, while waiting for my answer.
“I grew up close to both parents. We lost my dad when I was in high school,” I begin. “It was tough, but I grew closer to my mother. Mom is my best friend. And I’m pretty close with my little brother, too.”
“How old is your brother?” Lucas asks, genuinely interested.
I remind myself he’s asking innocent questions.
“I’m four years older than my brother,” I answer.
“So, he was in middle school when your dad passed?”
I nod.
“I can’t imagine losing one of my parents in middle school or high school.” He plays with a strand of my hair, tickling my bare shoulder. “Do your mom and brother still live in Athens?”
“Mom still lives on our family farm,” I share. “And my brother, his wife, and daughter live in Chicago at the moment.”
“At the moment…” he pauses, brow furrowed. “Will they be moving soon?”
“So, you probably noticed I’m… umm… I like to keep others out.” I clear my throat, my nerves heavy in my voice.
Lucas moves his fingers to rub circles on my bare shoulder in support.
“My brother’s kind of famous,” I state.
“Would I know him, then?”
“I don’t know, but imagine that you do,” I answer.
“I’m sorry I interrupted,” Lucas apologizes.
“It’s okay. From a young age, my brother was in the spotlight and people tried to use me to get to him,” I explain. “I was hurt several times before I constructed my walls and closed myself off out of self-preservation.”
He doesn’t speak, yet shows me his support as his hand pauses on my shoulder, gently squeezing me in support.
“My name is Amy Armstrong,” I announce.
I’m caught off guard by Lucas’s laughter. “That sounds like an introduction at Alcoholics Anonymous.”
I replay my statement in my head and laugh with him. He’s right.
I shake my head. “It’s hard for me to trust.”
“Amy, I want to know you. I like you. I only asked about your family, so I’d get to know you better.”
“Even though I’m four years older, I grew up in his shadow,” I murmur.
“I don’t see you in anyone’s shadow,” Lucas states, deep with conviction. “You’re a beautiful, funny, caring, dynamic woman. I’m drawn to you. It’s not because of your little brother; it’s all you.”
He pulls me up. Standing in his arms, he looks down at me with his kind blue eyes.
Tonight is the best night of my life.
Beneath a dark, velvety sky with twinkling lights and a bright moon, Lucas pulls my chest to his with one hand on my lower back and one at the back of my neck. His kiss claims my mouth as he explores, and his tongue teases, then tangles with mine.
Like a cat rubbing to mark with its pheromones, I press my body tighter to his, my hands clinging to his back. I can’t get close enough as I want and need more from him.
Ka-thump.
Another one of my walls crumples at our feet. I’m slowly opening up and baring more of myself to this man. If I’m not careful, soon I’ll hold nothing back, offering all of me to him.
The porch light flickers above us.
“I’m going to murder her,” I growl, my lips brushing his as I speak.
I feel his chest vibrate with laughter against mine. “I thought only parents flicked the lights.”
“Parents and nosey bosses, evidently,” I hiss.
He kisses the corner of my mouth, soothing my ire for the moment.
“She’s excited to hear about your date,” he murmurs. “I’m sure Oliver will be the same way when I arrive at his place.”
“When will I see you again?” I ask.
Oh my god!
Could I sound more desperate?
“I mean…”
Lucas presses his thumb against my lips, silencing me.
“I’ll call you after my run in the morning,” he vows. “You decide on something we can do with William and Harry tomorrow.”
At my smile, he kisses me once more, finding it hard to peel himself from me and step off the porch.
Swooning like a school girl after her first kiss, I enter the house somewhat prepared for Mia’s interrogation. Instead, I find the living room along with the kitchen empty and dark but for a nightlight. I climb the creaky stairs, praying the sound doesn’t disturb the twins. Mia’s door stands slightly ajar, but no light or sound is present.
Could she be asleep?
And... if she’s asleep, who flicked the lights, interrupting our kiss?
I kick myself for reacting as I did. With this house built in the late 1800s, I notice a flicker of the lights from time to time. Lost in the most amazing kiss I’ve ever experienced, I should not have noticed the flickering light.
I remove my clothes, sliding between the cool sheets. My mind flows through every moment of my time with Lucas. It amazes me how easy the night seemed. While learning more about this amazing man, I slowly let my guard down, sharing parts of me with him. Not only did I survive a date, I enjoyed it.
Wait!
I didn’t… he doesn’t…
I didn’t tell him everything about Hamilton. He doesn’t know all about my brother. He left knowing my brother was famous, and that was enough for him.
I can’t wait for my next date with Lucas.