Airel - Aaron Patterson [58]
“Airel, you ready?” Dad yelled up the stairs and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I grabbed my purse and bolted, glancing one last time in the mirror. I took the stairs far too quickly for the blasted heels I was wearing.
Michael stood at the foot of the stairs in a pink Oxford shirt and jeans that were faded in just the right spots. He looked like a model for G.Q.
His jaw dropped and my dad blushed for me as I came to a stop one step from the bottom. I did a little curtsey and smiled. I looked Michael up and down in a critical manner as if to judge what he was wearing. “Hm. Pink, eh?”
“It’s off-red.” His smile intoxicated me. His light blond hair looked almost white and stood up all over in soft spikes that I wanted to touch. He smiled, holding out his hand.
I took it. “You’re trying to score points here.” He smelled so good. No cologne-bomb here—just something naturally irresistible. He looked at me with the biggest smile on his face, as if he wanted to say something but was unable to find the words.
Dad broke the spell. “Now, you two be good. Have her home by midnight. If you need anything call, and if you’re gonna be late, call. Have fun and remember what I said, Michael.”
I looked sideways at Michael, then at my dad. He smiled and shook Dad’s hand. “Yes, sir. We’ll be good and she’ll be safe—you can count on that, sir.” Mom stood there, Dad holding her, and her eyes were misty.
Well, how wonderful. The guy could be a gentleman. I couldn’t resist him, and what’s more, couldn’t think of a single reason why I ever should. I suppressed a laugh. I kissed my dad on the cheek and gave my mom a little hug. “Love you guys. We’ll be fine. Don’t stay up waiting for us. Get some sleep, okay?” I knew they would wait up anyway because parents are like that. They were like a masterpiece portrait as they stood there watching me walk away. It was striking and so sweet, and thoughts of my own romantic future stirred my imagination.
I waved over my shoulder as Michael opened the front door for me. The evening air was warm and sweet, filled with pumpkin spice and golden leaves. I breathed in deep and Michael took my arm, leading me down the front steps.
“So, he gave you the I-will-have-my-revenge talk, huh? You were all, ‘sir,’ and, ‘yes sir!’ Did he show you the 12-gauge, too?”
Michael lifted the latch on the passenger side of his big Chevy truck and helped me in. “Oh, yeah. He even told me that he has a ‘special understanding’ with Coach.” He smiled, indicating that he was probably joking. “He and I had a man-to-man, nothing big. Nothing you’d understand. Besides, I’ve got you now... ” He looked at me in the oddest way just then, but it was brief and before I knew it he had moved on. And you look more beautiful than anything or anyone I have ever seen.”
I blushed and looked away, but he reached up and gently turned my face toward his. All I could think of was that my parents were probably watching and it was all I could do to keep from dying over it. “I mean it! Stunning, hot, Audrey Hepburn, however you want to describe it. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
Audrey Hepburn?! I was going to die a happy girl. I had spent many an hour with Kim watching her in Roman Holiday and Sabrina, fantasizing about being the chauffeur’s daughter or the princess. I had memorized those movies, awestruck at how Audrey carried herself and how beautiful she was. If only we could live our lives in black and white. It was poetic, in a way. But for him to compare me to Audrey, favorably, out of nowhere—it just sent me right over the moon.
I could tell that he was dead serious about it. He looked like he was about to cry. The moment shocked me to the core. As long as I live, I will never forget that look on his face.
Michael stood staring into me, drinking me in. I imagined that if I had never said anything he would have stood there all night looking at me in a way that’s only allowed in fairytales. This had to be a dream. Michael was not just handsome, he was kind. He had a way of making me feel