usual way, and even when I tried to change the subject and ask him about his life, he appeared so interested in mine that before long, I was rambling on and on again.
When the bill came, I tried to pay for my half of dinner, not really knowing what he was expecting. He looked at me as if I’d said something hilarious and pushed my debit card aside.
I happily admitted to myself that this was, in fact, our second “official” date. I let out a little squeal of delight—that could only be heard inside my head—and silently thanked Jessie for pushing me to go out with Toby.
After dinner, we headed to Balboa and played a few video games in the arcade followed by a few rounds of skee ball because it was the best game ever and one I knew I could win. When we were finally out of quarters, from both video games and the second trip to the parking meter, and we’d used all of Toby’s dollar bills, we decided to ride the Ferris wheel. I offered to pay for that as well, and again he shot down the idea, looking at me like I was crazy.
“Really?” he asked with raised eyebrows.
“What? I was just offering.”
“Put your debit card away, Ever. It is bad enough we used all of your quarters. I think I can cover the expense of a Ferris wheel ride.”
He paid the attendant, and we silently waited in line. His hand was on my lower back as we waited, and I could feel nothing else. Every cell in my body focused on that one spot as if it was the only place on my body with any feeling. The Ferris wheel attendant motioned for me to get in first, and then Toby slid in beside me. I was nervous and excited sitting so close to him. But in all honesty, though half of me felt a bit jittery with anticipation and nervousness, the other half of me felt like I’d known Toby forever, not just for a day or two. An odd combination of dueling feelings. I liked it.
Once we were settled into the rickety old seat, he scooted a bit closer to me so the sides of our legs were touching. My heart rate picked up speed. He rested his left hand on my leg, palm up, and looked at me with those gorgeous blue eyes, both expectant and playful. I looked back and forth from his hand to his face, and placed my hand in his. He wove his fingers through mine, and at the touch of him, the excited feeling shot through me again. I smiled what I’m sure was a too big and too ridiculous, toothy grin, but I couldn’t help it. I swear I could almost feel my skin vibrating. I was amazed that he couldn’t hear my heart thumping away in my chest. It was practically all I could hear.
We sat quietly as the Ferris wheel slowly began its ascent. Between last night’s date at the beach and all the talking through dinner, I was pretty sure he had learned just about everything there was to know about me. Except my biggest secret, of course.
The silence was welcomed because I didn’t know if I could talk even if I wanted to with the crazy feelings running through me. I still hadn’t gotten much out of him—or anything at all, really—but I planned to turn the tables and grill him on our next date. The excitement of that thought set my heart pounding even more. A third date . Yes, I want that very badly.
The sun was gone from the horizon, but I could make out most of the coastline’s twinkling lights, so since we were delayed for the time being as people boarded the ride below us, I took the chance to point out a few landmarks along the coast.
He took the chance to lean in toward me.
I was mid-sentence, pointing something out to him, when I froze, realizing what he was doing. I inhaled a quick breath as my heart rate increased once again. Holy shit.
He leaned over and lightly brushed his thumb against my lips, sending tingles through my entire face. His other hand still held my hand between us, and I hoped it wasn’t sweating profusely.
My mouth was open—both from the shock of his touch and the fact that I had been talking just seconds ago—and I quickly shut it,
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