Leah Mitchell isn't the same shy, poor girl anymore. Now a college student, she is enjoying her life in the city and the freedom she longed for. She works hard and knows her worth. She has it all, but her heart aches for the only person from her pas...
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Tara and Annie sit on my bed, watching me stuff some clothes into a backpack.
"He must be planning something," Annie says, tapping a finger against her chin. "A weekend getaway in the cabin is romantic."
"We barely see each other now," I say, folding one of the warm oversized sweaters I will surely wear on the beach. "Brian has been so busy we haven't been together in two weeks."
Tara gives me a broad grin. "Then don't pack any underwear."
I roll my eyes at her. "Right. Anyway, will you be okay here on your own? I hope nobody bugs you."
Annie snorts and then giggles. Tara told us about the bugs Sebastian put in her notebook, and the way she described his reaction to her absence of reaction had us doubling over with laughter.
"He'd better behave," Tara says. "By the way, will the two of you be back in time for the Halloween party on Sunday?"
"Sure," I say, zipping up the backpack. "Brian wanted to go. We'll be back on Sunday morning."
"Have fun." Tara beams at me. "And use protection."
I say goodbye to my friends and go downstairs, where Brian is already waiting for me, leaning against his bike. Dressed in all black with his hair slightly messy, he draws the eye.
"Hey," he greets me, taking a step forward and squeezing me in a hug.
"Hey there," I say into Brian's neck. "I can't believe we're finally gonna spend some time together."
"Same, babe." Brian smiles. "Let's go."
I put on a helmet and settle behind Brian on his bike. He starts it, and we're cruising down the highway in no time.
The traffic isn't heavy yet. The journey doesn't take us long, and it's barely five in the afternoon when Brian rides into his grandparents' estate.
I hop off the bike when Brian parks it next to the main house.
"I'll need to have a word with my grandpa first," Brian says as we stroll to the porch. He'd left his things on the bike, but there's a folder with some papers under his arm. I'm curious but decide against asking him about it for now.
"Brian!" Evelyn wraps her arms around her grandson as soon as the front door swings open. I'm the next to receive her affection. Brian's grandma doesn't hide how pleased she is with having the two of us visiting her. She invites us in, and once we're in the kitchen, Brian kisses me on the lips lightly and looks at Evelyn.
"Keep an eye on Kitten, okay? I'll go look for Pops Senior."
"He must be in the garage," Evelyn says. "Or in the woodshed."
"Gotcha." Brian winks at me and leaves.
"I'm so happy for him," Evelyn says to me, her voice almost a whisper as if she's afraid Brian will hear. "Brian's gonna be a doctor. Ben and I are so proud."
