Chapter 17
Today is Austin's last day in the studio, and everything about it has felt bittersweet. We've listened multiple times to what we've recorded, and everyone has agreed this is his best album yet. These last two weeks have had their ups and downs, but it’s like my dad always said, the river guides the songs.
Austin also seems to be in a better mood than he’s been the last few days. I’ve seen the gradual shift as he’s become more relaxed and less on edge. Today he seems to be in a good headspace and things have wrapped up easily. We’ve just focused on the last couple of songs that needed one more run-through. But what happens next is in his hands. He hasn't yet decided what he wants to do with these songs, and a lot of that depends on what he legally can do since he's still under contract with his label.
Despite the bittersweet feeling I’ve had today, I’m excited about what the next couple weeks hold for us. I’m looking forward to what Austin has planned for our first date, but also absolutely terrified. Cautious optimism is what I've set my mind to while I work to trust that what's happening between us is a good thing. There’s still a lot we have to learn about each other, which is why dating sounds like the perfect plan. That's what normal people do to get to know each other, right?
Greg’s voice yanks me from my thoughts back to the current discussion happening around me.
“Penny girl! Where'd you go over there?” He must realize I didn’t hear anything that was going on because he repeats himself. “I was telling the guys I think we’ve about wrapped up everything we can. Can’t think of any boxes we haven’t checked, can you?”
Tilting my head, I go through my mental checklist and come up empty. “No, I really can’t,” I reply.
“All right, well, Lisa and I decided we need to celebrate. How about Sunday everyone comes over? We’ll hang out by the pool and I’ll grill.” Liam lets out a loud whoop and we all agree to the plan and start packing up the studio.
Austin sidles up next to me while everyone is distracted. He’s tapping his thigh with one hand and scratching the back of his neck with the other. “So, I’ve been researching places to take you. Would you wanna go to the drive-in movies with me tonight? We can take pillows and blankets and lift the hatch on the van.”
This man. The thought of him planning everything out gives me warm fuzzies all over. “That sounds amazing.”
“Yeah?” he asks, his shoulders sagging with relief.
“Yeah. Wait, did you think I’d say no? Dating was my idea, remember? Other than you deciding the place, I basically made these plans,” I tease. “What time should I expect you?”
“It’s a double feature. The first one starts at eight. So, what about seven? That’ll give us time to find a good spot and get some food.” Looking down at my phone screen, I see it’s four o’clock. There’s still time for a power nap. We stayed up way too late last night, and I’ll need it for a double-feature movie.
“I think I’ll go take a nap, but I’ll be ready to go at seven. See you then.” I lean over and give him a peck on the cheek.
“See ya then, Penn.”
I walk to my house, leaving Austin and the guys to close up the studio. Kicking off my shoes at the door, I head to my room and set my phone timer for thirty minutes. Honey hops up beside me, and I’m sound asleep no sooner than my head hits the pillow.
* * *
I take great care getting ready for tonight, exfoliating every inch of my body and shaving my legs two times to ensure maximum smoothness. After drying off, I apply my favorite scented lotion and get to work drying my hair. After Austin’s reaction last night to my dress I opt for another one, so I remove my bathrobe and slip the dress over my head.
A knock sounds at my side door, and even though I’ve seen him every night for two weeks, my pulse quickens. I’m overcome with jitters like this is an actual proper first date.
When I swing open the door, he’s standing holding out a bouquet of sunflowers wrapped in brown paper. My chest squeezes at this thoughtful gesture. He hands them to me, and I wave him inside.
“Austin, I love these! You didn’t cut them down from my garden, did you?” I narrow my eyes at him, teasing.
“Nope. Olivia at the florists fixed them up for me. She told me to tell you she hopes we have a great date.” Olivia rivals Henry for top gossip of Singing River, and I’m imagining how quickly word will spread around town. She’s sweet as can be, but the girl loves a juicy story.
Once I’ve arranged the flowers in a vase, I look up to take Austin in. He’s wearing a cornflower blue button down that brings out the blue of his irises, with the sleeves rolled exposing his distracting forearms. I know I only saw him a couple of hours ago but something looks slightly different, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I cock my head and he must realize what I’m doing because he turns his head to the side.
"You let Henry cut your hair!" I gasp, reaching out to run my fingers through his fresh trim. Then, the realization that Henry and Olivia both know about this date hits me. I bet the entire town already knows. No turning back now.
"Sure did. He didn't do half bad. Also let him shape up my beard,” he says, running his knuckles back and forth across his jaw.
I take a step back, letting my eyes sweep over him. If I thought he was gorgeous on that first day, it’s nothing compared to how I see him now that we’ve gotten to know each other.
“You look so good.”
A shy smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, and the tips of his ears turn pink. Is he blushing because of me?
Austin clears his throat, his eyes meeting mine and holding for longer than I expect. “Thank you,” he says. His voice is soft, sincere.
He turns toward the pile of quilts, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess we better get going.”
Once we’ve gathered everything, we head outside and hop into the van. The drive-in theater is a twenty-minute drive to the next town over. The air is thick with anticipation, but finally, he clears his throat.
“So, I, um, I don’t have swim trunks.” He must see my confusion because he explains. “For Sunday. The cookout. I don’t have swim trunks. I was gonna order some, but none would arrive in time.”
“Oh! That's not a problem. Lisa has a whole drawer of trunks that people have left behind. Or you can borrow some from Liam.”
“They’re really great, ya know—Greg and Lisa. Well, all of them, really. I can see why y'all are all so close. Birds of a feather and all that,” Austin says.
“You know they all think you’re great, too.” A look passes over his face, and I study him, trying to read his expression. I’ve gathered from the stories he’s told me that he doesn’t think many people like him beyond his immediate family. “You’re pretty easy to like.” His whole demeanor changes at those words, and he turns, flashing that dimple, causing my heart to tumble around inside my ribcage.
“Yeah?” he asks, doubtful.
“Absolutely. I’ve loved every second of our time together,” I assure him.
After finding a spot with good visibility, I run and grab our food from the concession stand. When I return, we lay out a pallet of quilts in the back of the van and climb in with our feast surrounding us. You better believe in addition to our burgers, fries, popcorn, and drinks, I have a Solo cup of candy salad. Austin shakes his head, laughing, as he watches me mix it all together.
Once we’re settled in, he reaches over, lacing our hands together again.
“Take a selfie with me,” I say, grabbing my phone with my free hand.
Uncertainty flashes across Austin’s face, and I give his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“I just wanna remember this night. This picture is only for me.”
He leans in and I hold my phone up, but at the last minute I turn and press my lips to his cheek, clicking the shutter button as I do.
When I pull back, he’s smiling.
“Send me that. I wanna remember this night, too.”
I send it and his phone buzzes. He looks at the photo and then up at me.
“We look good together,” he says, winking, and I lay my head against his shoulder, threading my fingers back through his.
About halfway through the first movie, his thumb begins forming lazy circles inside my palm, and my body lights up like the summer fireflies flitting around in the distance. Up until this very moment, I had no idea that a few circles on the inside of my palm could have me so turned on that I’m wanting to straddle his lap.
When I turn my eyes toward him, his are already on me. They’re heated to match the same desire coursing through me right now.
“I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look tonight. When you opened the door, I wondered what I’ve done to deserve having you here with me. And I want you to know, these sundresses are about to be the death of me.” His voice is low and rumbly in my ear.
My neck heats at his compliment. Speared on by a sudden burst of courage, I lean in and lightly brush my lips on his. Austin is caught off guard, and it takes his lips a second to catch up. When I break the kiss, he catches my chin and puts his mouth back on mine more firmly than I dared. His hand moves to my hair, tugging just enough for all my synapses to start firing. We’re continuing where we left off last night, but this time with no doubts or questions about what we’re doing. We kiss until I’m sure both our lips are bruised and swollen. When we part he presses his forehead to mine.
"I’m trying damn hard to take things slow like we agreed, but you have no clue what you do to me.” His voice is raspy, frustrated, and full of want, matching my own battle that’s warring inside me at our current situation.
We turn, trying to focus on the movie again, but his thumb is back drawing those lazy circles on my palm. My breaths come out unevenly, and I know he hears them because his movements stall. He leans down, grazing his lips across my sun-tinged shoulder and my whole body tingles with desire.
When his thumb tugs my chin toward him again, I tangle my fingers in his hair and open to him, my mind going hazy. I want more than this, and the frustrated moan that slips from me tells him as much. Austin smiles against my lips.
“Me too, Penny. Me too.”
"I guess, maybe I don't like slow after all," I say.
Austin rumbles out a chuckle that I capture with my lips. It's been years since I've kissed anyone like this. I’ve only been on a few dates since Eric, and those usually ended with the perfunctory end-of-date kiss that left me feeling empty. This kiss fills me up in all the lonely corners of my heart, a small reminder of who I was before my life fell apart.
A slow, delicious heat rolls through me as he takes my lower lip in his mouth and sucks. Finally, he pulls away, looking thoroughly mussed from my hands tugging his hair.
“We probably need to stop.” He reaches down to adjust himself. “But I can’t promise I won’t be looking at that picture you took tonight after I take you home.”
I gasp, bursting out laughing. I’m sure all the movie watchers around us are annoyed at the noise coming from the back of his van. “You’d do that?”
“Correction. I’ve done that. Now I’ve got a new one.” Then he burritos me up in the blanket like a fleece chastity belt, leaving me wanting more but knowing damn well this is the smarter decision. “Now watch this movie. You’re so loud, and I’ve been trying to pay attention.”
I chuckle, wrangling free from the blankets, and playfully punch him on the bicep. Austin catches my wrist and braids our fingers together again. I have no clue what the movie is about, all I know is something big is happening. I just hope we’re ready for it.