Chapter 15

 

 

Kate stared at the giant ice cube, her features twisted into a cute expression of confusion. Then she noticed the note he’d placed on the top and reached out for it. She unfolded it and Reed recalled the words as she read them.

To be your date,

would melt my heart,

To drive at your side,

While my car’s apart.

You must find the rose,

So the race may start.

 “Your rhyme was stupid,” Jackson said.

“It’s romantic,” Roman said.

“What do you know?”

“I’m Latin.” Roman smirked. “Romance is in my blood.”

“How old are you?” Jackson asked.

“Seventeen,” he replied defensively.

“Can you two be quiet?” Reed asked.

Kate’s roommates were all standing on the porch. They exulted over the note and the giant ice cube, with Marta giving a command performance of feigned shock. In the midst of speculation and awe, Kate stared at the rose, perfectly frozen in clear ice, a soft smile on her face.

Reed watched her, a tingle climbing up his spine as he witnessed her response. He’d seen that expression on countless dates, but this time was different. Kate’s smile conveyed so much more than surprise and wonder, it conveyed a tenderness, a vulnerability, an intimacy.

She didn’t know he was watching, but he felt like she was looking right at him, like he was on the porch inches from touching her hand. She flushed at something Brittney said and brushed her hand across the enormous ice cube.

“Looks like it’s a hit,” Jackson murmured.

The girls pulled out hair dryers to try and melt the ice. Ember said that was cheating and took pictures while Brittney wielded two hair dryers, gunslinger style. The others laughed but their combined efforts didn’t make a dent on the cube.

“It’s going to take forever,” Ember complained.

“That’s our cue,” Jackson said. “Let’s go.”

Reluctant to depart, Reed watched Kate until Jackson tugged on his arm. Then he turned and crept through the shadows. When they were clear he stood and walked back to the truck, and the whole way Reed bore a smile on his face.

“That’s a confident smile,” Jackson said.

“Oh?” he asked.

Jackson stabbed a finger at him. “You’ve made your decision, haven’t you.”

“Maybe,” Reed said, but his smile widened.

Seeing Kate had caused something to click. For the first time since the start of the dating challenge, he felt like he knew what he wanted. And he wanted Kate. More than anything he’d ever wanted in his life, he wanted to be with her.

His promise to Aura remained unfulfilled, and he would always regret it, but if he abandoned Kate now he would never forgive himself. He yearned to be with her, every moment of every day, and now that he could see without the filter of regret, he realized she’d become essential to every aspect of his life.

“About time,” Jackson said, unlocking the door.

“For what?” Roman asked, looking between them as if he’d missed part of the conversation.

They piled into the truck and Reed jerked his head. “I didn’t say anything,” he said, his tone gaining an edge. “And don’t say anything to her roommates.”

Jackson raised his hands. “What’s there to say?”

Reed smiled. “If there is something to say, I want to say it at the right time.”

“My lips are sealed,” Jackson replied, turning up the street and leaving Kate’s house behind. “But are you going to say it tonight?”

Reed shook his head. “She has her date planned, and I’ve intruded enough. Besides, after all our dates, I think she deserves a grand finale, don’t you think?”

“Is this about your car?” Roman asked.

Reed and Jackson laughed in unison. “It’s not about the car,” Reed said. “But I really need it later this week. Jackson can’t be my chauffeur every day.”

“True,” Jackson said.

“Well if you ever decide to sell your car, I’m buying,” he said.

“You want his wreck?” Jackson asked.

“For cheap,” Roman said.

Just then Reed’s phone buzzed and he saw it was Kate. Warning his companions to silence, he answered the call and, at Jackson’s insistence, put it on speaker.

“Hello?”

“Don’t ‘hello’ me,” she said. “There’s a giant ice cube on my porch with a rose frozen inside.”

Reed heard the smile in her voice, just audible over the sound of hair dryers. “I take it you accept my answer?”

She laughed lightly. “Of course—assuming I can get to it. The rose was a nice touch, by the way.”

“I couldn’t leave you just a giant box of ice,” Reed said. “That would just be weird.”

She laughed again. “It’s going to take forever to melt the thing.”

“No it’s not!” Ember called in the background. “I’ve summoned reinforcements.”

“You could just pour hot water on it,” Reed said.

The sound quieted as Kate changed rooms. Then her voice became softer, more mischievous. “I know, but I’m waiting for them to figure it out. They’re really enjoying melting it with hair dryers.”

Jackson grinned and whispered, “She’s positively devious.”

“Call me when you finish the melting,” Reed said.

“I will,” she replied. “And your car will be back to normal by tomorrow. I’ll call the one who helped take it apart.”

“Roman?” Reed asked, glancing at Marta’s cousin. “He’s a good kid.”

“Hey!” Roman said.

“He’s with you?” Kate asked in surprise.

“I needed help with the delivery and someone had a guilty conscience.”

“I did not,” Roman protested. “I just wanted to see her face.”

“You were outside?” Kate asked.

“Maybe,” Reed admitted.

The sound of laughter and giggling rose a notch as more voices joined the party, and Kate called out to them. The flurry of giggles implied girls were arriving by the minute. Then she shifted position again and lowered her voice once more.

“I’m being summoned for a picture. Call you tonight?”

“Of course,” he said. “And how about lunch tomorrow? Not a date, just hanging out.”

Her voice indicated she was surprised, and a little suspicious. “More meddling in my date?”

“No,” he said. “I promise. I’d just like to go to lunch. But you’ll have to pick me up, as I don’t think my car will be un-robbed in time.”

She laughed. “Deal. I’ll pick you up at one.”

They said their goodbyes and hung up, whereupon Jackson nudged him. “Looks like I’m not the only one that’s fallen hard.”

“Are you going to be able to keep this to yourself?” Reed asked.

“I won’t say anything,” he said, but when Reed skewered him with a look he raised a hand. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“Even Shelby?”

He sighed. “Even Shelby.”

Reed turned on Roman but he raised his hands in protest. “I was just here to deliver the ice,” he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I promise not to say anything about what I don’t understand with anyone who might have an interest in said non-knowledge.”

Reed and Jackson both looked at him and he shrugged. “I won’t say anything.”

Jackson turned onto the street that would take them back to the restaurant. “Do you know what you’re going to do in two weeks?”

“I do—but I’m not telling you,” Reed said. “Not this time. I’m keeping it to myself. I’m not going to risk Kate finding anything out.”

“But you know what you’re going to do?”

“It’s going to be on the Fourth of July,” Reed said. “That’s all I’ll say.”

Jackson pressed him on it, but Reed refused to budge. After all the going back and forth, Reed couldn’t risk anything he said getting back to Kate. Or her roommates. If he was going to cross that bridge with her, she would be the first to know.

“Good luck with everything,” Roman said as he got out. Then he grinned. “I may have to steal your techniques to use on my girl.”

“Feel free,” Reed said.

He grinned and shut the door, and as they drove home Reed continued to resist Jackson’s efforts for a glimpse into his plans. It would be difficult enough to keep his decision to himself—especially from Kate. The burning in his heart yearned to be shared, but after all the creative dates it felt wrong to just call her up and tell her. He needed to plan something special.

“Just make sure you don’t downplay it too much on your date this week,” Jackson warned as they parked back at their house. “A surprise is great, but if she thinks you’re being too cold, she might get the wrong idea.”

“Good point,” Reed said. “But what about . . .?” he gestured to the glove compartment, where the engagement ring was sloppily hidden.

“Oh,” Jackson said, reaching out and retrieving the ring box. He stuffed it into his pocket. “You keep my secret, I’ll keep yours. We can plan something after you seal the deal with Kate.”

Reed frowned. “And by seal the deal you mean . . .”

Jackson rolled his eyes. “I mean kiss her. I know you’re not going to have sex with the girl. Honestly, it’s like you were born in the wrong century.”

Reed laughed. “Stop smiling so much, or Shelby’s going to know something’s up.”

“I’ll try,” Jackson said as they walked inside.

He failed.