Remembering You by Sandi Lynn

Chapter 3

The day seemed to last forever, and I couldn’t wait to get out of school. I didn’t have much time left for I was graduating in a month and then I was heading off to the University of Washington to study Journalism and Literature. As soon as I got home, I ran upstairs and stepped in the shower. I liked my showers scolding hot and had a habit of staying in too long. I stood under the hot water and washed my hair, thinking about Sam and how I couldn’t wait to see him. I was confused because I’d never felt this way about a person before. Guys had always been interested in me, but I’d never found any of them interesting enough to date. They were all spoiled rich boys that were used to getting everything they wanted. I stepped out of the shower, pruned skin and all, wrapped a towel around me, and heard my phone chime. I grabbed it from my purse and saw there was a text from Sam.

“Hi, Claire, your car will be ready sometime tomorrow. I had to order a part and it won’t be in until tomorrow morning. I wanted to keep you updated. See you tonight.”

“Thank you, Sam. I’m looking forward to our date,”I replied back.

“Me too, Claire,”he replied with a smiley face.

My heart started to flutter. I wondered if he had been thinking about me all day like I was thinking about him. I put on a pair of skinny black jeans and a pale pink lace tank top with a matching cami underneath. As I was getting dressed, there was a knock at my door.

“Claire, it’s us. Can we come in?” Ally said.

“Yeah, it’s open. Come in.”

The door flew open and Ally and Rachel strolled in with a duffel bag. “We’re here to help you get ready for your date.” Rachel smiled.

“I can get ready on my own, thank you.” I smiled.

Ally walked over and grabbed my hands. “Claire, this is your first date ever, and we, as your best friends, are going to make sure you look hot!”

Rachel threw the duffel bag on my bed and started unloading the massive amounts of hair products, curling irons, and makeup. Ally walked me over to my vanity and pointed to the chair, ordering me to sit down. She did my makeup while Rachel curled my hair. Once I was finished, I looked in the mirror, and even I couldn’t believe what I saw. Rachel curled my hair so the curls flowed softly around my shoulders and Ally did my eyes in a smoky color with a bit of blush and a light pink lipstick. I had to admit, I looked good and for the first time, I felt sexy.

I glanced at my phone and it was 6:45 p.m. when we walked downstairs. Ally and Rachel said they weren’t leaving until they met Sam. I could tell they were dying to see what he looked like. I walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and Corinne and Zoey were sitting at the table looking through wedding magazines. Both of them looked up. The expression on Zoey’s face was priceless.

“Claire, you look absolutely beautiful.” Corinne smiled. “Zoey, doesn’t your sister look amazing?”

“Yeah, she’s okay,” she said.

The doorbell rang and instantly, the butterflies awoke from their dormant sleep and started fluttering around. I tried to run to the door before anyone else could, but it was too late; Rachel had already let Sam in and both her and Ally were already drooling over him.

“Sam, hi.” I smiled.

“Hi, Claire. Wow, you look amazing.”

I bit my bottom lip and looked down. “Thank you. I see you’ve met my two best friends.”

“Yes, I have.” Sam laughed.

The dreaded moment came when I saw Zoey and Corinne standing in the doorway between the hall and the kitchen.

“Sam, this is my mother, Corinne, and my sister, Zoey,” I introduced.

Sam walked over to them and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you both.”

Zoey looked him up and down, and Corinne lightly shook his hand. I needed to get him out of there as fast I could.

“Come on, Sam. Let’s go. I’m starving.”

He looked at me and smiled. “I’m ready when you are.”

We walked outside, and I turned back to look at Ally and Rachel, who were both standing there with their jaws dropped open. “OMG, he’s a dream God,” Ally mouthed as Rachel gave a thumbs up.

He opened the car door for me, and I slid in.

“What’s your favorite type of food?” Sam asked.

“Hmm, I like all kinds of food, but if you must know, my absolute favorite is Mexican.”

His eyes lit up like lightning in the sky. “Mine too. I’d like to take you to my favorite Mexican restaurant, if that’s okay.”

“I’d like that.” I smiled.

We pulled up to Diablo’s, a Mexican restaurant that was also my favorite.

“I love this place; they have the best Mexican food.”

“You know Diablos?” he asked.

“Yep. I first came here with Rachel and her family. I’ve been addicted to it ever since.”

We walked inside the restaurant and were seated at a table near the fireplace. The décor was amazing. The walls were painted with murals of cities in Mexico while the ceiling was covered in clouds. The waiter came by with chips and salsa and asked us for our drink order. I opened the menu, but already knew what I was getting. Diablos had the best Mexican pizza.

“What do you usually get?” I asked Sam.

He glanced up from his menu. “Either the Mexican pizza or the chicken enchiladas.”

I smiled as my heart started to beat a little faster. “The Mexican pizza is my favorite.”

“Looks like we have a lot in common, Claire,” he said as he gently put his hand on mine and then shyly looked down.

I didn’t pull away. I loved the way his skin felt on mine. During dinner, we held deep discussions about our families. Sam’s dad had passed away in a car accident when he was three years old, and his mom raised him by herself, pulling double shifts at the hospital to try and make ends meet. As soon as Sam was old enough to work, he got a job and helped his mom with the bills.

“Cal was a friend of my dad’s and when I was about thirteen years old, he started teaching me how to fix cars. When I turned sixteen, he hired me to help him at his garage.”

I was in awe of this boy, who worked not only for himself, but also to help his mom pay her bills. I wanted to cry because I’d never met a person who thought more about others than themselves. I poured out my soul to him about my family and how I felt. Maybe it was too soon, but I felt comfortable talking to Sam, and it just felt right. He held my hand as I told him about Corinne, Zoey, and Dylan. I saw his eyes turn dark gray when I told him what Dylan had tried last year. I assured him it was okay because I’d threatened him, and he knew I would make good on those threats.

“Tell me you like Mexican fried ice cream,” he spoke with excitment.

I looked down and, with a small smile, I said, “I don’t like it; I love it!”

He went from disappointed to happy in a matter of a split second. The waiter brought our ice cream and gave us each a spoon. Sam swiftly ran his spoon through the whipped cream.

“Open up.” He smiled as he held the spoon to my mouth.

My heart started pounding and the butterflies in my belly started dancing around. I opened my mouth as he fed me the whipped cream. I knew it was only our first date, but I was managing to fall in love with him. It felt right. He felt right. Being with him felt right. After we finished off the ice cream, Sam paid the bill and took my hand. He led me out of the restaurant and to the small park that was across the street. It was a beautiful night and the stars brightly lit up the sky. We each took a seat on the swings and slowly swung back and forth as we continued to talk about our hopes and dreams.

Sam took me home after we spent an hour at the park because it was a school night. He pulled in the driveway, and I struggled because I didn’t want this night to end. He reached over and gently traced the outline of my jaw with his finger.

“You are very beautiful, Claire Montgomery, and I had the best night of my life with you.”

I stared into his blue gray eyes and leaned closer into him, focusing on his lips. He gently put his mouth on mine and softly kissed me. I started to tremble. He cupped the back of my neck as he kissed me. His tongue parted my lips and slid softly into my mouth. I followed his lead and let my tongue join his. His mouth was amazing, and it set my body on fire. I desired him, all of him, from this one kiss. He let out a deep groan, which drove me wild as I ran my fingers through his brown hair. His lips trailed over my neck and I could feel the warmth of his breath against my ear. I panted as he moved his hand down to my breast and cupped it through my shirt. He stopped and pulled away.

“Claire, I’m sorry. We have to stop.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Sam.”

I wanted to tell him that I was a virgin. Even though I was embarrassed, I told him anyway because he had a right to know. He smiled at me as his hand rested on my cheek.

“Good. That makes me happy you’ve saved yourself for someone special.”

I brought my hand up and placed it on his as a tender smile crossed my lips. He kissed my forehead and then the tip of my nose.

“Since tomorrow is Friday. Will you consider going out with me again?”

I put my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I can’t wait to see you again.”

We kissed goodnight and Sam walked me up to the door.

“See you tomorrow, Claire.” He grinned as we both had a hard time letting go of each other’s hand.

“See you tomorrow, Sam.”

Harry and Corinne were sitting in the living room and both turned their heads when they heard the door open.

“Hi, Claire. How was your date?” Harry asked.

I walked over to where they were sitting. “It was amazing, Dad. I had the best time.”

“It’s good to see you smile.”

“Does this boy go to college?” Corinne asked.

And there it was: the interrogation and questioning as if I was on trial.

“No, Mom, he doesn’t. He works full time so he can help his mom with the bills. His dad passed away when he was three years old and she raised him as a single mom.”

Corinne rolled her eyes. “I don’t think you should see him again. You can do so much better.”

“Too bad,” I spat. “We’re going out tomorrow night.”

Harry decided it was time to step in. “Claire, go to bed, and Corinne, just stop. Please just stop.”

She got up and huffed all the way to her bedroom. I said good night to Harry and headed up to my room. As soon as I changed into my pajamas, I climbed into bed and read a text that came from Sam.

“I miss you already, Claire. Maybe it’s too soon, but I really like you.”

My heart melted as I wrote him back.

“I miss you, Sam, and I really like you too. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, babe.”

I smiled as I read his last message and then fell into a deep sleep.