Page 61 of Check You Out

“I love it!” After a second, I scrunch my nose. “But are we allowed to? Will Mayor Harrington let us do it?”

“She’s on board.” Johnny grins and holds up his phone. “I just texted her and she replied with three hearts.” He swings the phone back to face him and starts tapping away. “I’m asking her about permit stuff now.”

“Wonderful!” Relief sweeps over me. “Can I leave the location change stuff to you?” My gaze travels to the other committee members. “Now, we’re going to have to update everybody.”

Nicole speaks up first. “I can handle that. I’ve got a list of RSVPs. I can send out a blast to everyone.”

The rest of the committee starts making plans, and I can only sit there watching the plans unfold. Something in my chest shifts. I’m so used to having to do everything myself with the bookstore, it’s unnatural for me to sit back and let others take charge.

Aidan’s knee bumps again mine, and I turn to see him smiling at me.

It’s been several days since I saw Aidan at the coffee shop with his dad, as we left before he could introduce us. We’ve been texting a lot, mostly just sending back photos of each other’s pets, and quotes from the books we’re reading. He sent me a selfie because he wasn’t sure if his outfit for Monday was working. I may or may not have been peeking at the poorly lit image of Aidan in his figure-hugging blue and white checkered shirt with rolled up sleeves and very flattering khaki pants whenever I got a free moment.

Tonight, he’s wearing jeans and a plain T-shirt. The dark teal of his shirt grips the contours of his hard, lean body. His arms are sinewy, but not too bulky, and my eyes keep resting on the veins popping out of his lower arms and hands.

I really want those hands on me, preferably while we’re passionately kissing.

We’ve yet to take that step. Aidan gave me a hug at the end of our date last Saturday, and while it was a perfectly nice hug, I was left wanting to feel those soft lips against my own.

I even called Nicole right after I got home and rehashed the date with her.

“Why didn’t you kiss him?” she scolded me.

I couldn’t give a good answer.

“Well, Committee Chair.” Johnny’s voice brings me to the present. “Is there anything else that we need to talk about?”

“What?” I gawk, peeling my eyes away from Aidan and his beautiful forearms. “Oh, right.” I hastily go over my list. “I don’t think so. We’ve got our action items for the protest. We’re making progress on the petition. I think next meeting we should review our speeches and practice them. So, bring your rough drafts.” I bring my gaze up to meet the other committee members, and I’m met with a chorus of agreement.

Xander pulls Aidan to the side and says something to him in a low voice. He gestures wildly, and my interest is piqued. Their gazes drift over to me multiple times during the conversation, and color flushes Aidan’s face.

What are they talking about?

Nicole nudges me, and I jump. “What are you going to do now?” She asks.

I yawn. “I don’t know. Go home, stream Gilmore Girls, and fall asleep on the couch.”

She raises an eyebrow and nods toward her brother and Aidan. “Really?”

I frown and open my mouth to say something witty or smart, but Aidan is at my elbow.

“Can I walk you home?” he murmurs close to my ear.

I smile. “That would be great.”

Nicole casts me a knowing look, and I ignore her.

Warmth seeps into my skin as we step out into the night, the air is still humid even after the summer storm that rushed through during the meeting. Puddles dot the pavement on the road below, casting a glowing reflection from the lights of Main Street. It reminds me of the first time Aidan walked me home. It’s only been a few weeks, and yet so much has happened since that first committee meeting.

“So, our date was fun,” I remark once the others are out of earshot.

“Yeah, um, I’m glad you liked it,” he replies, and I spy a hint of color on his cheeks in the dark light.

“Did you have a good time?”

He nods. “Yeah, yeah, um, yeah.” We take a couple of steps down the steep staircase leading to Main Street. He stops in his tracks. “Actually, um, no. I did, uh, that is I—”

I turn to face him, leaning against the metal railing behind me. “Did you not like it?” My smile levels out into a pout. “I was kind of hoping that we could maybe have a second date. At least a second official date? But if you don’t want to do that, that’s—”