Hannah and Harrison snuggled on the observation deck under a thick white blanket while they watched the stars twinkle over Boston. Hannah’s nose was frozen and her cheeks rosy from the chilled salt air, but she found herself reluctant to leave the warmth she’d found nestled next to Harrison when they arrived back at the marina.

He’d surprised Hannah by being a complete gentleman, saving the night by not letting her embarrassing inexperience ruin his mood. She expected him to be pissed that she didn’t put out after his elaborate date, but he seemed to genuinely be having a good time in her company, content with kissing under the stars.

* * *

When their date was over and Harrison walked Hannah to her door he asked when they could do it again.

“So I didn’t totally screw this up?” she asked.

“Hannah, what do I have to say to get you to trust me?”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s just you’re too good to be true.”

“I could say the same thing about you.” He kissed her lightly. “Say we can do this again?” he whispered.

“Okay, okay. I think I can suffer another evening on your yacht if I must.”

Harrison picked her up in a delighted embrace and she giggled. “That-a-girl,” he joked kissing her again. “By the way, I won’t be at school tomorrow. I have some last minute arrangements to attend to before the party on Saturday.”

“What kind of arrangements?”

“You must allow me to keep some of my mystique,” he joked, bowing and backing away toward his car.

Hannah couldn’t help but swoon. She was smitten! How did this happen?

“You are still my date to the ball, right?” he called back to her.

“If you’ll still have me.”

He grinned wickedly. “I wouldn’t have anyone else.”

“Then I’ll meet you there.”

“Don’t be late, Cinderella. I’ll be the one in the mask.”

Hannah waved after Harrison as he drove away, then quickly let herself inside. Leaning against the front door for support, she closed her eyes and sighed, reliving the delicious moments of her date.

“Have fun?”

Hannah’s eyes flew open. Her father was peering at her over his reading glasses. He was camouflaged among the books and blankets covering his lap.

“Were you waiting up for me?”

“You bet I was.”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “Yes, I had fun. Harrison was a gentleman.”

“Where’d you go?”

“Dinner,” she paused not wanting to lie to her father. “On the water.”

“I’m glad you had fun. Now go to your room and never date again.”

“Daaaad,” she groaned, marching over to give him a kiss on the head. “I have to grow up sometime.”

“I know,” he grumbled. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Hannah smiled and made her way upstairs wanting to avoid a fatherly lecture. Her father was rarely doting, but she still hated the feeling of suffocation it brought. She and her father normally had a functional relationship. They worked more like colleagues than parent and child—tackling tasks like groceries, household chores and appointments like efficient business partners. But boys were a new division and it was apparent her father wasn’t on board with that venture. The only other time he’d been this neurotic was when Hannah learned to drive.

Hannah showered quickly and flopped into bed. It was late, but her body hummed with excitement. Every time she closed her eyes she pictured Harrison’s flawless body pressed into hers. His delicious lips igniting fire everywhere they touched.

How had she let such a perfect moment pass her by?

Hannah cursed herself for being a virgin. She’d wasted so much time focusing on academics and accolades that she’d missed out on the adventure and affection of adolescence. Tonight was proof of that. She’d been right to want to explore her freedom in the time she had left. If tonight was any indication, Harrison was the right guy to fill in what her education was lacking. And the thought of it was exhilarating.

Her phone buzzed and she picked it up.

ARE YOU STILL AWAKE? – HARRISON

YES – HANNAH

I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU – HARRISON

Hannah rolled over, kicked her feet excitedly and screamed into her pillow as butterflies rioted in her stomach.

So this is what all the fuss is about?

Hannah’s heart soared and her lungs felt crushed. In just one date she’d fallen for Harrison Cohl—and she’d never felt better.

Hannah rolled back over and grabbed her phone, texting a smiley face.

X – HARRISON

X – HANNAH

Hannah fell asleep with the phone clutched to her chest, her inner goddess glowing enough to light the entire city of Boston.