“Usually does around dinner time.” I picked my phone up and read the text I had from Reagan.
Just snuck off for some alone time. Enjoy yours ;).
h8 you. I replied back. Then added xo..
“So about those milkshakes?” Luke asked.
We sat in Seaports with gigantic shakes in front of us. Luke plucked the cherry off the top of his mountain of whipped cream and plopped it in his mouth. “It’s dinner time. Thought you guys could use some food.” The waitress, an older woman in her 60’s said, bringing over a gigantic plate of fries and sitting them smack in the middle of the table.
“Thank you so much Maple. You’re the sweetest.”
“That’s what they call me, sugar. Hey, I’m off in 10 so if you need anything ask Heather.” She said winking and pointing at a girl not much older than me, who was clearly pregnant.
“You really know everyone in this town huh?” I asked Luke, nibbling on a French fry.
Luke shrugged his shoulders. “There aren’t a ton of locals. So yeah, I definitely know all the people who live here year-round. Maple is actually Lily and Denny’s grandmother. You know, from earlier? They live here with her year-round. Their mom took off when they were really young and she’s always been their caretaker and that’s Heather,” he said, darting his eyes towards the pregnant waitress. “She’s 22. Married already to her high school sweetheart Jimmy.” He said pointing to a booth in the corner where a young man sat. He had a baseball cap on and was covered in dirt, sipping a cup of coffee. His dad’s always been the town handyman and he’s on his way to taking over.”
“Wow,” I replied. “How about that girl Bianca from the bridge?” I asked, matter of factly. Luke sighed.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about her if she was rude. She’s always had a thing for me. She used to only visit for the summers. So I don’t know why she’s making comments about tourists. Her dad hit the lottery and cheated on her mom. He bought a huge mansion in California and bought Bianca and her mom a house here.” He rolled his eyes and snarled. I breathed a sigh of relief and took the last few sips of my milkshake.
“I’m gonna head back to the Pizza Shack Sutton. Can I walk you home first?” Luke said, the bells on the door chiming behind us.
“You don’t have to do that!” I replied but we were already walking in the direction of Aunt Helen’s house.
Chapter 3:
The next week was one big blur. I had mixed emotions. It mostly felt like the days were all intertwined but it also felt like time was standing still. It was filled with boardwalk food, beach days, and adventures with our group of four. Each night ended with big bear hugs and forehead kisses from Luke. He even went down to the store in town and bought a cheap phone just so he could talk to me. I had constant butterflies and spent every night wondering when it would be time for me to wake up from this dream. I tried to keep the thought out of my head that I was only here for another month and a half.
“I can’t believe you guys have to leave. I feel like you just got here.” I sulked holding my best friend tight.
“Believe me, if it were up to me, I would stay here forever; or at least until you and Luke were official.” I lightly slapped Reagan on the shoulder. She laughed.“No, but seriously, if I don’t come home now my mom will kill me.”
“What she means is that she’ll kill me,” Shane said, throwing the last duffle bag in the back of the van.
“I guess I have to understand considering you kind of took this trip without telling or asking your mom.” I rolled my eyes.
“I thought we’d make it a little longer than a week before she started with the death threats.”
“Alright, well I guess it’s time to get on the road,” Shane said, pulling the van’s door closed with a creek. I gave Reagan one last squeeze and that was interrupted by a bike skidding to a stop right in front of us.
“Hey, guys. I saw your text, Sutton. You guys are leaving like now?” Luke pulled his hat off his head and scratched it. He had beads of sweat dripping down his face. He pulled up his shirt and his abs peeked out as he wiped his forehead with his shirt.
“Sadly, my mom will have my head on a platter if we don’t.” Reagan complained.
“Well I have a little surprise before you go and I think Sutton might enjoy it too.” Luke grinned and held my hands. “Sutton Rae I have had the absolute best week with you and I know this might be kind of quick but I want to spend every moment possible I can with you from now on. You make me feel a way I have never felt before. Will you go out with me?” Goosebumps took over my arms and I felt my heart skip a beat.
“I would love to go out with you, Luke,” I said, throwing myself into his arms.
Luke titled me and kissed me for the first time. I was so focused on the kiss I barely recognized the faint sound of Reagan squealing. It was muffled and sounded like she was miles away. His lips pressed against mine. They were warm. An aroma of peppermint surrounded me. In reality, the kiss only lasted about five seconds but in that moment, time stood still. Towards the end of the kiss, I felt Luke smile. I felt myself smiling too and
