“You’re riding in a car with him? Alone? Do you even know his last name?” Dad paces the small living room of our rented condo.
I scroll through my phone to find him. “McMillan.”
“And he’s from California?”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Dad, he helped me yesterday, then waited around to make sure I was okay when he could have been back on the slopes. If that doesn’t tell you that he’s a good guy...” I stop. There’s a fine line with Dad. Push too far and he thinks you’re hiding something, but don’t give a convincing enough argument and he’ll never approve. I’m slowly figuring out the balance but I’m worried he won’t give in this time.
“Text me as soon as you get on the road. Then the moment you arrive at the tubing park. And be sure to tell me the name of the place.” He throws out rules as they come to him, pointing at me as he strides across the room. “And I want you back by dinner time.”
I smile. I’ve got him beat here. “Blake has to be with his family by three so I’ll be back before then.”
“Oh. Well, okay then.”
I hobble to my feet and he scowls at my knee. “Thanks, Dad. I promise I’ll be careful. And if he tries anything inappropriate I’ll kick him with my good leg.” I kiss Dad on the cheek, then take care to walk as normally as possible, but once I’m outside I pause to regroup. The lodge is on the opposite end of the parking lot but it feels like it’s miles away.
The door clicks behind me. “Need a ride to your ride?”
I turn and face Dad. “Thank you.”
“I figured you wouldn’t tell me how much your knee hurts. And I’d like to meet this boy again.”
I fall in step next to him. “Understandable.”
“I’m letting you go because I trust you, but I want you to know how hard it is for me to let you drive off with some boy you just met.”
“He’s not—” I stop. Blake’s the definition of ‘some boy’. And this will be the first time I’ve ever ridden in a car with a boy that isn’t just a friend. “He seems like a good guy. He was even helping some younger kids with their tricks.”
Dad pauses in front of the car. “And you like him?”
“For once I’m not just one of the guys. He seems to really like me.”
He opens the passenger door for me but stops me before I can get in. “He’d be an idiot not to.”
“Gee, thanks.” I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool, but my reddening cheeks betray me. I stare at the parked cars as we roll toward the lodge. “Are you trying to get me flustered before I even see him?”
“Nope, just building your confidence. You have nothing to worry about.” He pulls to a stop behind a silver sedan.
Blake is leaning against the passenger door and turns when he hears us. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but he’s even better looking than I remember. His hair is still messy, but it’s a purposeful messy, like he spent some time getting it just right, and his blue eyes are as bright as ever.
Dad nods in his direction. “He’s punctual. That’s a plus.”
My mouth goes dry. “Uh-huh.”
He snorts. “I’ll help you out.” He moves to open the door but Blake beats him to it.
My heart nearly stops when he smiles down at me. “Good morning,” we say at the same time.
Dad gets out of the car and moves to Blake’s side. He holds out a hand, brows furrowed, his mouth turned into the closest thing to a scowl I’ve ever seen on his face. “I’m Cally’s father.”
“Yes, sir. I’m Blake. I believe we met yesterday?” They grip hands and do that guy thing where they stare at each other for a second before separating and breaking into smiles.
“Take care of her. She says she’s okay but it takes a lot for her to admit she needs help.”
Blake leans toward me and puts a hand under my elbow to support me as I get out of the car. “Yeah, I picked up on that. I promise I’ll throw myself in front of any out-of-control tubers.” He winks at me and my stomach does a backflip.
Dad points at me and raises an eyebrow.
I sigh, and press a kiss to his cheek. “Bye, Dad.”
Blake slips his hand into mine and tugs me toward his car. “Ready?”
Butterflies carry me the rest of the way.
Once we’re settled in the car, he points at two paper cups in the center console. “I wasn’t sure if you drink coffee, but I know you like chocolate so I got you a mocha.”
I lift the cup to my nose and inhale deeply. My eyes drift closed as the aroma fills my nostrils. I already had my requisite two cups with breakfast—despite Dad’s constant protests that it’ll stunt my growth—but there’s always room for more chocolate.
“I take it that’s a yes?”
I open my eyes and reach across the console to squeeze his hand. “Double yes.”
He grins as he pulls onto the road.
I toss my bag in the backseat and am surprised that the floor mats are dirty and there are a couple umbrellas jammed in the seat pocket. Our rental car is spotless, but this looks lived in. “Whose car is this?”
My question seems to catch him off guard. “Oh, we, uh, have friends who live here and they let me borrow it. We only have one rental car and my dad needed it today.”
Something about his voice sounds off, but how do I know what’s normal for him? I haven’t even known him for twenty-four hours.
He turns the radio to the satellite alternative station I listen to and I bounce in my seat. “I love them! I saw Twenty One Pilots when they came to Burlington last summer!”
Blake surprises me by singing the words, his voice smoother than I expect, and I can’t help but sing along. By the time we arrive at the tubing place my throat is scratchy and my stomach hurts from laughing so hard. Sophia always teases that my true test for a boyfriend will be someone who can tolerate my tone-deaf singing, and either Blake is very gentlemanly, or he actually sees me as more than just one of the guys.