Grinning, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "That was perfect. Thank you."
Their faces were only inches apart, and their bodies were even closer. Her smile faded as her eyes drifted to his lips, then back to his eyes.
Holding on to his courage as tightly as he'd held her during the lift, he leaned in, moving slow in case she decided this wasn't a good idea.
She didn't pull away.
He paused a breath away from her lips, uncertain. "I'd like to kiss you."
A little smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. "I kind of guessed that."
Okay, that was a yes, right? His insides rolled. God, if he messed this up, she'd know. Faith would figure out that this wasn't his nine-hundredth kiss.
It was his first.
When he didn't move, she closed the gap and pressed her lips to his. Surprised, he didn't shut his eyes right away, focusing on the tiny freckles on the bridge of her nose. Then his brain caught up with his body. He pulled her close, pressing the length of her against him, and let his eyes fall shut. Not wanting her to notice he hadn't done this before, he let her set the pace on the kiss, startling when she teased his lower lip with her tongue. Surely his heart would burst out of his chest any second. If it did, he'd let it, mainly because he knew it would run straight for Faith.
After what seemed like hours, she gently pulled away. "Did I forget to say it was okay to kiss me?"
He laughed, and it sounded low and gravelly. So that was what all the fuss was about. He'd need to sit down soon if his knees didn't stop shaking. "I liked your answer just fine."
A door slammed shut at the back of the arboretum. "Kyle? I need to close up."
"That must be your guy." She lowered her eyes, now shy. "Should we go?"
"Yeah." Even if he didn't want to. He'd kissed her-for real. And he wanted to do it again, but Casey was stacking pots loudly in the nursery, so he packed up the picnic instead, making sure all crumbs and traces were removed.
"You're being pretty thorough with cleanup. Should I help?" Faith asked.
Her voice was shaky, and that warmed him all the way through. He wasn't the only unsteady one. "It's okay. I just wanted to make sure we left the garden in good shape."
As they walked back to the nursery, Faith slipped her hand into his. "Thanks for dancing with me."
He smiled, his emotions running riot. How could someone be happy, turned on, scared, worried, and triumphant all at the same time? He hadn't been this mixed-up-elated since he caught the last out in the state championship last year, and the team rushed to dog-pile him.
He nudged Faith lightly with his hip. "Thanks for letting me."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Faith
Kyle was really quiet on the ride home. She didn't press him-there was too much to think about. Like how he smelled of starched cotton and sage. He'd been planting some that day-apparently Mom had asked to add an herb garden in the backyard.
The scent had her all kinds of distracted. But it was crazy, right? She still didn't have a good read on him. So far, she saw no hint of the scary, delinquent boy she'd heard about. He had a sweet side, almost shy. If she hadn't known better, she would've guessed she was his first kiss. He seemed so unsure about it, and eager, too, once she made the decision for him.
She bit back a chuckle. He was a better actor than she was, turned out. Kyle Sawyer's first kiss. As if.
Still, she'd enjoyed the sweetness of it. Cameron's first kiss had been aggressive. He'd smashed his mouth to hers like they were in a movie where the heroes had just saved the world. She'd taught him to back off a bit, but the emotion behind it wasn't the same.
She glanced at Kyle's profile. He was staring at the road with intense concentration, like the center lines were going to morph into a pack of dragons and chase them down the street. It wasn't so much that he was ignoring her. It was more like he was trying to pretend he was, because when she looked at him, his hands tightened on the steering wheel.
They pulled up in front of her house twenty minutes before curfew. As expected, lights blazed out of the living-room window, and the porch light was on full blast. Dad's silhouette was outlined in the sheer curtains. He was sitting in his chair, probably pretending to read, but really waiting to see how long it was before she left the car and opened the door. The lights, per usual, were to discourage any good-night kiss activity. Faith loved her parents, but the freedom of living in New York sounded really appealing right now.
"I, um, probably better go up." She touched Kyle's arm, and he jumped. "Oh, sorry. You okay?"
His typical cocky smile showed up. "Yeah, sure. Thanks for coming out with me tonight."
She bit back a frown. He looked shaken, rather than sure of himself. "Are we still on for the charade at Dolly's?"
"I am if you are." Now his expression looked more natural-and a tiny bit concerned. "You're absolutely sure about this? Today it's just a rumor. Tomorrow the genie is out of the bottle for good."
She straightened her spine and looked him right in the eye. "Yes. I'm completely sure. See you in the morning?"
"Sure." He started to lean across like he was going to kiss her again, then paused, before finally planting a quick peck on her cheek. "See you then."
And that was all. Disappointment came over her all at once. Every time she thought they were getting closer he shut down, leaving her out in the cold.
Kyle came around to open her door and walked her halfway up to her house. "Faith … "
She stopped and turned to face him. "Yes?"
He opened his mouth, then closed it. "Nothing. Just … you're going to do great at the musical."
Her stomach swooped. And there he was again, back from wherever he seemed to disappear. "You haven't even heard me sing."
"I don't need to." He headed back to the Charger. "I know."
Stunned, she watched him climb into his car and start it. He didn't leave, though. Oh, right. He was waiting for her to go inside safely, despite the fact that her dad was now standing in the living room window. She waved and turned up the sidewalk.
Her dad opened the door before she fished her key out of her purse. "Have a nice time, pumpkin?"
"Dad, I'm eighteen. Don't you think I'm a little old for ‘pumpkin' now?"
"You'll be sixty and I'll be in a home, and I'll still call you pumpkin. Now, let's move the subject back to your date with our gardener."
"One, he's not our gardener. Two, yes, I had fun. He took me to the arboretum."
"Huh." Dad scratched his head. "Based on the car alone, I was worried I'd have to come up with bail after a wild night of clubbing."
"You'd think," Faith murmured. "He wanted to show me their azalea display. He knows I like them."
"I should think so, considering the eight bushes in the backyard." Dad smiled, and the wrinkles around his eyes deepened. "You look happy, and that's what counts. After half your dates with that Cameron kid, you looked like you wanted to strangle something-preferably him."
"It did kind of get that way, didn't it? I'm glad I moved on." She gave Dad a brief hug. "I'm going upstairs."
He nodded and returned to his chair. Maybe to make her think he wasn't up to watch for her. They'd done this enough, though, that she knew better. He was silly, but he cared. That was more than could be said for some of her friends' dads.
She flopped down on her bed, reliving that kiss. He'd been more hesitant than she expected, like he wanted to let her have control so she wouldn't back away. And taking her to see azaleas for a date? Everything about tonight had been about her. Even the way he hopped up, asking to help her with the lift, so serious about giving it a try. She'd never wanted to kiss a guy more than in that moment. It was perfect.
Almost.
She just needed to figure out what was bothering him. He was holding something back, and she wanted to know what-and why.
Her phone buzzed in her purse. Of course it was Violet, texting one minute after curfew because she knew Faith would be home.
V: So, how's things?
Faith laughed. Oh, you know. Just sitting at home watching the clock hands move.
V: Don't make me come over there.
F: Okay, okay. The date was very nice. He was very nice. The kiss was very nice.
V: KISS?!!!! Is there more?
F: Just the kiss-he's so much sweeter than I thought he'd be.
V: What, no groping? Pshaw. He's not living up to my expectations.
F: Maybe not … but he's been way above mine.
V: Girl, after Cameron, you have NO expectations. What about tmo?
F: We're still on. He'll drive me up there around six.
V: Good. I have confirmation there will be a good crowd. Maybe even Cam.
Faith's stomach dropped. For all her confidence with Kyle, she still wasn't sure how she'd do this. What, did you tell everyone to be there?
V: Mayyybeeee
F: Vi! Guh, okay. Yes, we'll be there.
And hopefully, put on a show no one would forget.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kyle
When Kyle came in from the garage, Grandpa was waiting for him at the kitchen table, the remnants of a piece of chocolate cake on a plate in front of him. He had on plaid PJs and a ratty robe Grandma had bought for him fifteen years ago.
"Is there more of that?" he asked, and Grandpa pointed to the counter. Rosanna must've baked them one before leaving. He cut himself a slice, grimacing when his hands shook on the knife.