Eden

 

A date? With Dylan? Ugh. How did I get into this? I hadn’t checked my phone all day until it was almost time to leave work. It had been nonstop since eight that morning. Every spot had been filled for both hair and nails. I was thankful I remembered to reserve a time for Allie weeks in advance. Our prom was next week, and I was excited to help my friend get ready for the dance.

It hadn’t been a surprise to receive a text from Dylan. That was a common enough thing lately. The contents of the text, however, had rocked me to my core. Still hours later, minutes before he was due to pick me up, I was shocked. Stunned even more that I had agreed. After applying a layer of gloss to my lips, I assessed myself in the full-length mirror hanging on the back of my closet door.

I’d chosen a dress to wear. It was maroon. Short, with long sleeves since it was still chilly at night. The sleeves were fitted to my elbow and then loose down to my wrists. The waist was high, leaving the skirt to flow down around my thighs. On my feet, I wore knee-high brown leather boots without a heel.

I’d left my hair down, just adding loose curls to give it some life, while my makeup was soft and natural. A far cry from the stuff I’d been wearing before Dylan left for basic. I hoped he appreciated the difference.

Or maybe I didn’t.

“Eden! Dylan’s here!” mom shouted up the stairs.

Ooh. I hadn’t even thought about them being home when Dylan picked me up. There was no doubt I was dressed up for a date. And Dylan hadn’t just marched up here to get me, he must have rung the doorbell.

Awkward.

Slowly, I walked down the stairs, as though I was meeting my executioner. About halfway down, I could see both of my parents, standing side-by-side. Dad had his arm around Mom’s waist and they were both smiling. Big smiles.

Mom’s gaze met mine and if possible, her lips widened further. What was going on here? I wondered only briefly, however, because there was Dylan.

He’d shed the boot on his foot and even his crutches were missing. He stood tall beside my dad, his thumbs hooked casually in the belt loops of his dark wash jeans, looking stunning in a white button-down shirt.

I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, not at all sure of the situation I’d walked into. Did my parents know what was going on? That this was a date? With Dylan?

Did they approve?

“Sweetheart, you look beautiful,” my Mom said, leaning over to kiss my cheek and give me a hug. Her eyes sparkled when she pulled back, attempting to reign in her grin. “Doesn’t she look beautiful, dear?”

Dad merely grunted, his eyes landing significantly on the length of leg showing beneath the hem of my skirt. But even his lips curled up.

“We won’t be late,” Dylan reassured them as he shook my dad’s hand.

“I’m not worried, Dylan. No hurry.” Dad slapped him on the back nearly upsetting Dylan’s balance.

He recovered quickly and held a hand toward me. “Ready?”

Glancing around, I wondered if I’d somehow tumbled into an alternate reality. “Um, yeah.”

“Have fun,” mom called from the front door as Dylan led me to his truck. He opened the door and lifted me into the seat before closing it and making his way to the driver’s side.

“What,” he asked once he was settled and noticed the look I was giving him.

“What was that?” I pointed to my house.

Dylan shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.”

I squinted at him. “Did you tell them we were going out?”

Dylan squirmed a little in his seat as he started the engine and shifted gears. “Yeah, I talked to your dad about it.”

“You did what?” I couldn’t believe this. Were we in the middle ages or something? He asked my father if he could take me on a date?

Dylan shrugged again before straightening his shoulders and meeting my gaze head on. “I’ve known your parents most of my life, Ed. I’m not going to sneak around behind their backs with their daughter. I asked your dad if he had a problem with me taking you on a date and he said he didn’t.”

My heart wanted to melt a little after that, but I kept it in check. Dang thing. “He just said, sure, have fun?” There had to be more to it than that?

Dylan looked uncomfortable again. “Well, not exactly.”

“Why are you making me drag this out of you? What did he say. Exactly.”

Dylan sighed. “What’s the big deal, Ed? They aren’t mad about it or anything.”

“Dylan, if you don’t tell me right now you can turn around and take me home.”

“Fine. He asked me what my intentions were.”

That’s it. I was going to shrivel up and die. Please, tell me that did not happen. “You’re kidding.”

Dylan shook his head. “Not even a little.”

I fell back against my seat with my head in my hands. “Why would he ask you that? It’s one date. Our first date. It’s not like you’re proposing or anything.”

Dylan remained quiet but reached out to unbuckle my seatbelt. “Come here.” With his hand on my knee, he pulled me into the center seat beside him. I didn’t resist. How could I?

“Buckle back up.”

I strapped myself into the seat. Dylan rested his hand on my knee, his warm skin against mine causing goosebumps to break out across my thighs. He rubbed his thumb across them. That didn’t help.

“You aren’t proposing, are you, Dill?” I tucked my arm under his and placed my head on his shoulder. He reached for my hand and squeezed it.

“No,” he answered. “Not yet.”