Every summer, Raleigh’s business put on a car wash with their employees and donated the money to a local charity. They’d sell Griffin Gas Station t-shirts and in addition to their full-service fill-ups, patrons could drive through and get a free car wash too. Most donated of course, but it wasn’t required. The car washes were always a hit with the ladies since Raleigh’s male employees were the ones washing the cars in traditional Griffin Gas uniform, or lack thereof.
While Wil kept his head down and was rather shy in school, he actually participated in this yearly event, shirtless of course, just like any other day at the office.
The familiar green Civic picked Lily up to hang out for the day, in hopes of swinging by the station to see the goods. The girls waited until after lunchtime when the crowd died down a bit and they could have a bit of personal attention. She drove over to the line of cars awaiting their turn to be washed and as she put the car in parked, she noticed Lily had goosebumps. She left the keys in the car as instructed by the gentleman worker and she and Lily went over to a stand under several umbrellas. Rosie purchased both she and Lily a t-shirt with her disposable allowance and they waited their turn.
“Nerves much?” Rosie said to Lily.
“Why, do I look nervous?” Lily turned to her friend. Cause I’m definitely nervous.
“Maybe a little,” Rosie chuckled, “What the heck happened the other night during your ‘study session’ anyway?” Rosie’s air quotes provoked Lily to give her a dirty look.
“Oh you know, just worked on his project for class,” Lily could hardly keep from blushing at the thought of Wil wearing that towel around his waist; That thought that hadn’t left her mind in the two days since they had been together.
A few of Raleigh’s employees were classmates of Lily, Rosie and Wil, who as Rosie said “was particularly nice to look at that hot summer day.” This day, Wil wore his dark work pants and washing cars made it even more obvious he spent time in the sun without a shirt. No tan lines were apparent and Lily appreciated the grooves and ridges along his stomach, wondering how much heavy lifting he actually did on a daily basis. Oh, to touch that washboard stomach again.
Marcus, another classmate, walked over to Rosie with a donations bucket and said her car was next in line. She put in a few dollar bills and the change she received from the t-shirt sales and thanked him quietly as he went over and pulled her car up to the front of the line.
“Anything special, ma’am?” Marcus asked. Shaking her head not knowing what in the world might be considered special at a car wash fundraiser, Rosie and Lily enjoyed the show before them. Wet, sudsy boys covered in way too many muscles were indeed a nice view. Wil caught Lily’s eye as he reached up to wash the top of the emerald green car. His black aviator sunglasses made him look even sexier in the sun, but running his wet hand through his hair spiking it up messily all over his head made Lily’s stomach fill with butterflies. And reminded her again of how sexy he looked fresh out of the shower.
The bowling alley was right across the street and where they planned to head after the car wash.
Despite all the butterflies, Lily managed the courage to tell Wil they were heading over to Happy Lanes Bowling Alley if he and Marcus wanted to join them after they were through working. He was more than thrilled to accept her invitation and after showering, they met the girls within the hour.
Neither Lily nor Wil had gotten much sleep the last two nights, since they spent hours talking to each other on the phone after everyone else had went on to bed. They hadn’t discussed being more than friends, but the anticipation was killing them both. Maybe he’ll ask tonight.
Marcus was a strong guy and he figured out quickly that he could haul a bowling ball down the lane with the best of them.
“Why have I never bowled before?” The group laughed at him and wondered where he’d been all his life. They played for a while, then went and ordered burgers at the restaurant inside, where Lily’s mom worked. Thankfully she was off for the day or Lily would likely have been home helping with her siblings. Ms. Cora was working and knew Lily well. She made Lily her favorite cherry cordial milkshake and brought over two straws so she could share with Wil.
At the end of the evening, Wil was able to get Lily by herself since Marcus and Rosie had been inseparable since they decided to share their own milkshake at dinner.
“Tomorrow? Just me and you?” Wil said as he put his arm around Lily’s back and pulled her to his chest.
“I’d love to,” she said and let him tug her closer. “My dad will be at our uncle’s house watching games on TV and mom is off to keep my siblings. Pick me up at the bridge?”
“Pick you up at noon, dress comfortably,” he said and reached down and softly kissed her lips. Every time Wil kissed Lily, she reached up and leaned into him. She was fierce and noticed she took what she wanted. Even sweet kisses. “Call me later so I can hear your voice before I go to sleep.”
“Can’t wait.” Lily said as Wil escorted her back to Rosie’s car. He opened the passenger door for Lily and he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek once she was buckled inside. As the girls drove off, they both seemed rather smitten. And neither one of them wanted to stop thinking about their new love interests to talk to each other on the ride home.