Page 135 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Chapter Twenty-Three

know I’m 18 but right now I feel like I’m 12. And that new
zit on my chin isn’t helping. I’m feeling heavier after all that
Christmas baking. Do I look fat? I must be out of my mind
because I’m way out of my comfort zone. Oh God, please help me
not make a fool of myself.
As I walk into the family room, trying with all my might
to exude a confidence I do not feel, it hits me that Dreamy
looks different. He is dressed up. Sort of. He’s actually wearing
a collared shirt. I’ve never seen him like this. Maybe it’s his
hair. I don’t know what, but something is definitely off. He isn’t
quite as attractive as I remembered. That doesn’t make sense,
right? Here he is, trying to look nice for our date. For me! And
I am disappointed.
Is he dressed up too much? Do I prefer his more everyday
rugged look? T-shirt and jeans? Was it the lure of the chase I
was attracted to? What the heck? I don’t know. Kelita, settle
down. Breathe girl. Just breathe.
Mike walks us to the door. Please don’t embarrass me. Please
just act like a normal human being. Please, please don’t say anything
rude.
“Okay, Dad, we’ll see you later.”
“Okay, Honey.” Mike glares straight into the eyes of my
date and commands, “Make sure you have her home by eleven
now, you hear?”
“Yes, Sir. Will do.”
That’s it? That’s all my cantankerous stepfather has to say
about me going on a date with a man ten years older than I
am? Whew! But my dad does know Dreamy so perhaps there
is already a level of trust there.
The date starts out well. The restaurant he has chosen is
lovely. I feel very grown up, confidently ordering my own Pina
Colada. I am now officially of legal drinking age (although that

121