Until We Meet Again(27)

this beach?”

He grabs my hand. “Because it doesn’t matter. Because, when

all is said and done, we’re just two people. Are we really so different, despite the decades between us?”

My stomach flutters like crazy. It’s almost impossible to meet

his gaze. “I guess not.”

He says nothing but keeps his eyes fixed on me. I release

a slow breath. “Maybe…it would be okay to meet one

more time.”

An irrepressible smile breaks across his face. “Sure. No harm

in that.”

“But we have to be careful.”

“Absolutely.”

I puff out a sigh. “I think we’re probably crazy.”

“Crazy’s not always a bad thing,” Lawrence says with a grin.

“Let’s meet tomorrow night. After the others settle down for

the evening.”

“I can probably do that. What do you have in mind?”

He raises his eyebrow in a mischievous way. “You’ll see.”

I point at him. “If it has anything to do with swimming, I

will punch you.”





h


Luckily for Lawrence, when I arrive at the beach the next

evening, just after sunset, he’s dressed and seems to have no

intention of jumping into the ocean. He’s built a small bonfire and set up four green-and-white-striped beach chairs.



“Hello!” he calls as I approach, waving cheesily.



I suddenly feel embarrassed. I got ready like this was a

date or something. I put on my cutest jeans, a black tank

top, and a chunky beaded necklace. I even curled the

ends of my hair. Lawrence looks sharp and slightly fancy,

as always, but that’s just how he dresses. Those two other

beach chairs make me think he doesn’t intend for this to be

romantic though.

“Did you…invite some friends?” I ask, approaching with

hesitant steps.

Lawrence follows my gaze to the chairs. “Oh that? No, no,

I was just trying to make Ned think I was having some others

come tonight. Didn’t want him to get suspicious. You know.”

A twist of pleasure tightens in my stomach. So we will be

alone.

“What did you tell your parents?” Lawrence asks, pushing a

fresh log onto the fire.

“It was just my stepdad who was home. Frank’s pretty easygoing. I told him I taking a walk.”

Lawrence examines me and smiles. “I like your trousers.

They’re very avant-garde.”

“Not so much in my time,” I say. “Though they are skinnier

jeans than I normally buy.”

“Well, you’re a dish either way.”

The nervous-but-happy feeling crackles inside me again.

“Thanks.”

“Have a seat,” he says, motioning to the chairs.

I sit down and Lawrence takes the chair beside me. We’re

quiet, both mesmerized by the orange glow of the fire. I guess

firstdate awkwardness transcends time. I cross my legs, scraping for some shred of conversation.

“So, are we going to roast some marshmallows?”

Lawrence grins. “Sure. If you want.”

“You know what’s really good is roasted Starburst.”

“Is that a type of marshmallow?”

“No. Starbursts. You know…the candy?”

He gives me a shrug.

I sit up. “Get out! Are Starbursts not invented yet in nineteen

twentyfive?”

“I’ve never heard of them.”

“Oh man! That’s just sad. They’re infinitely superior to the

marshmallow, as far as roasting is concerned.”

“What on earth are they?”

“I have to show you. Words can’t really do them justice.”

Lawrence lifts an eyebrow. “I think you might be overselling

them a tad.”

“Okay,” I say, standing. “Now I have to go get some. My

credibility is on the line.”

Back at the house, it takes some ransacking, but I find a pack

tucked in Mom’s “secret” candy stash behind the flour container. I’ll repay her later. I grab some roasting sticks and head to the bonfire again.

“Do you have them?” Lawrence asks.

With dramatic flair, I present the Starbursts. “Ta-da!”

He picks up the slim rectangular pack, looking somewhat

disappointed. “That’s it? It looks like chewing gum.”

I laugh and pat his head. “Oh adorable, nineteen-twenties

Lawrence. You have so much to learn.”

He folds his arms with a smirk. “I’m waiting to be impressed.

You’re stalling.”

“Just wait, just wait. Let the fire do its magic.”

Lawrence watches me as I prepare the stick with two

gleaming, square candies and search for the hottest part of

the coals. Then I begin my time-crafted process of achieving

the perfect caramelization.

“You’re quite intense about this,” he says.