“Yes.”
“Good to know.”
“You don't have to do anything. Hanging with you and the gang is enough for me.”
“I'll take that under advisement.”
“Why do I get the sense that you are already plotting?”
He framed my face with his hands, “Because you know me so well. Thank you for tonight and for your painting. I really do love it.”
“Happy birthday.”
He responded by kissing me.
***
The smell of oatmeal raisin cookies drew me into the kitchen to find Deena and Carol making a huge mess. Lucky for me, they were just pulling a tray from the oven. I adored their oatmeal raisin cookies.
Carol saw me first and smiled in greeting. “Hey, Lark. You're just in time.”
“What's the occasion?” I asked while settling on a stool at the kitchen island.
“Cheerleading social,” Deena said.
“Where's Aunt Kim?”
“My uniform's a little too big, so she's taking it in for me.”
Not sure why that hurt, but it did. “Oh.”
“There's plenty of cookies, do you want some?”
“Please.”
As I was reaching for a cookie, Carol asked, “Is that boy who picks you up in the morning your boyfriend?”
My face grew warm at the joy of sharing such a girl moment with my cousins. “Yes, he's my boyfriend.”
“Oh, Lark. He's so beautiful,” Deena said dreamily. “What's his name?”
“Bastian.”
“And he drives a motorcycle, that's so sexy.” Carol climbed onto the stool next to me and added, “Are those tattoos on his arms real?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, I bet that hurt.” Deena took a bite from her cookie. “What's he like?”
“He plays soccer and likes to work on cars. He's smart and funny. Kind, like down-to-the-bone kind.” A glance at the girls made it clear they wanted more. “He makes my knees weak and my heart pound. When he kisses me, I never want him to stop.”
“Oh, man.” Deena sounded dangerously close to whining. “You're in love with him.”
“I really am.”
“And him?” Carol asked.
“Fell just as hard.”