“I know what you mean, I was destined to have a bowl of cereal when I got home tonight if we didn’t leave,” I laugh, because I know what type of food it is. It’s always rubbery chicken or some kind of overcooked steak.
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but if you’ve never been to Burger Shack you don’t know what you’re missing,” he replies.
It doesn’t take us too long to get there. We pull into a parking spot, thankful that we don’t have to walk too far.
I grumble, “I can’t wait to get out of these shoes,” as Rome opens the door for me. I look up and blush, by the way he’s smiling I can tell he heard me ranting out loud. I try to talk under my breath, but sometimes my awkwardness comes out and I get caught.
“This won’t take too long, then we’ll get you out of those shoes, promise.” He takes my hand, it’s a small gesture, but it feels amazing every time we touch.
7
Rome
Fuck, she’s cute, I think to myself as we make our way up to the window to order our food.
“What do you recommend, I’ve never been here before,” Summer says, she’s on her toes even with her sky-high heels to whisper into my ear.
“Everything here is great. I’d be here every day if I could get away with it,” I tell her.
“I’ll have the classic cheeseburger with a strawberry shake then.”
“Got it, you want to sit in the car while I order this? It may take a bit,” I offer her. I know she’s ready to get off of her feet.
“Do you mind? I promise I’m not usually this much of a pain in the ass.”
“Summer, I wouldn’t have offered it, if I didn’t mean it. I can see you’re in pain and this might take more than fifteen minutes.”
“Then yes, I’m going to be a prima donna and sit in the car. Thank you for understanding, Rome,” her voice has taken on a breathless tone. I’m caught in her sights as she leans up on her toes, trying not to wince, and kisses my cheek.
It takes everything I have to stop myself from gathering her in my arms and kissing her thoroughly.
But when I do that, I want to take my time with her.
“I’ll unlock the door from here, that way I don’t lose our spot, and it take even longer,” I tell her once she leans back.
“Okay,” the blush that seems to come out whenever it feels like is back at it, this time it’s traveling down to her neck.
I watch her turn and walk back towards my car. I don’t take my eyes off her, even when I move closer up to the waitress. Until I see that she is safely inside my car. I press the lock button on the key fob and lock it. I don’t want anyone to randomly open the door in case she closes her eyes.
Ordering our food, then paying for it, I move out of the way until our order is ready.
It takes everything I have not to go check on Summer while waiting for our food to appear, but I know the minute I leave it’ll be ready, and I’ll have to leave her again.
“Order 791,” I hear the waitress say.
“Thank you,” taking our food and shakes from her.
When I get to the car, Summer is already up and out. Coming to my side to help grab the food.
“You didn’t have to get up, baby,” I say with a gruffness in my tone.
“I didn’t want you to do everything,” she responds.
She takes our shakes, I keep the burgers, and we both get into the car.
I start the car, after both of our seatbelts are on, and head to the one place we both seem to love the most. I just hope she isn’t upset when she realizes where we’ll be too.
8
Summer
I never thought to ask Rome where we were going after we picked up our food. That feeling of safety and rightness, he just feels right.
When we turn into a driveway and Rome places his car in park, I look at what I’m assuming is Rome’s beach home. My family has a massive estate, it’s ostentatious really. Nothing like the house that’s before me. You can tell it’s been recently renovated unlike some of the other homes we drove by, that still appear to be a throwback of the seventies. Don’t get me wrong, they’re cute and appealing to the eye. But, nothing quite like Rome’s home. Even with just the headlights on, you can see the mint green roof, the front porch that is wood with a dark stain. It’s beautiful with the white background.
“Wow, this is beautiful,” I tumble out. My eyes are probably as wide as saucers. If he’s on the beach, I really hope he’ll let us eat outside.