“Aiden, my parents—”
“Aren’t fools. Pretty sure your mom was dancing in her seat at all the sultry looks you kept giving me.”
“I was not.”
“Keep telling yourself that, freckles.”
Her expression sobered. “So, we’re really doing this?”
“Tomorrow night,” I said.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yeah. You, me, and our first date.”
“First date?” Her eyes lit up.
I pulled her down to my mouth again and chuckled, “We’ll see how it goes, freckles.”
CHAPTER15
DAYNA
“Oh sweetheart, you look lovely,”Mom said when I stepped into the kitchen.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Are you excited about your date?”
“Nervous.” I sucked in a sharp breath.
I hadn’t needed to fess up to her about Aiden, she knew. A mother’s intuition, she’d said. Of course, she’d taken the liberty of telling Dad about my budding romance with Aiden. But they were both supportive, and I loved them all the more for it.
“You know, you’re more like our Dayna Bug around Aiden. With Josh, you seemed… different.”
“I don’t think it was just Josh, Mom. It was me,” I admitted. “I was hiding in Boston. I don’t want to hide anymore.”
“Oh, sweetheart, come here.” She came over and pulled me into her arms. “Your father and I are so proud of you, and we love you so, so much. Dalton would want you to live, baby. He would want you to go after all your hopes and dreams and live.”
I nodded, smiling over the lump in my throat. “Gosh, I’m a mess, and I need to leave in a minute.”
“Here.” She went over to the faucet and ran some paper towels under the water. “Give a little dab under your eyes, and you’ll be good to go.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“A date.” She clapped her hands. “It’s so exciting.”
“Okay, I’m leaving now.”
“I want to hear all about it when you get home.”
“Sure thing, Mom.” I waved her off with a chuckle as I headed out to my car.
Aiden had wanted to borrow Carson’s truck and pick me up, but I wanted to avoid my parents making a big thing out of it. I was nervous enough without them peeking out of the windows, watching our every move. Besides, I had organized everything, so really, it was my surprise for him.
The drive to Carson’s house was too short. I needed more time to compose myself, to give myself a pep talk.
Aiden was only the second guy I’d ever gone on a date with. A guy who avoided dating like the plague. But he wanted this.