THE TROUBLE WITH PAPER PLANES(33)

“Come in,” I said, stepping aside.

She walked past me and stood in the hallway.

“You’re right on time,” I said, closing the door behind her.

“Punctual is my middle name.”

“Is it? Mine’s Gerald.”

Her smile grew genuine. “Nice.”

“What’s yours?”

“My what?”

“Your middle name. Come on, it can’t be that bad. I’ve told you mine.”

I folded my arms across my chest and leaned back against the door, waiting. I bet it was something pretty. One of those names you read about in books. Poppy, or Millicent or something just as proper. She looked proper.

“I don’t have one,” she shrugged.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“That surprises me,” I said, standing up straight and heading for the kitchen. “You don’t meet many people without a middle name these days.”

“I know,” she said, following me. “I’ve noticed that, too. So, what’s on the dinner menu?”

I disappeared into the kitchen, coming back a moment later with the pre-prepared cooler bag. “First, answer me this. Surprises – are you a fan?”

I crossed my fingers and held my breath.

She smiled. “Yes, as it happens – I am.”

Thank God. “Great. Then let’s go.”

We headed out to my truck and set off for town. I wanted to do this on the down-low. I didn’t want everyone staring at us tonight, and I was willing to bet money that that’s exactly what would’ve happened if we’d done this in public. I hadn’t been out on a date since Em disappeared, and she was new in town. We didn’t need the added pressure. I just wanted her to myself. No staring, no good-natured ribbing, just the two of us, getting to know each other a little better in private, away from prying eyes.

“Your stuff’s in the back, by the way,” I said, as we crossed the bridge into town. “I forgot to give it back to you at the beach earlier.”

She glanced over into the back seat to see her clothes, sunglasses and shoes sitting neatly where she had left them. “Thanks.”

“Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine, thanks. So, this surprise – can you give me a clue, at least?”

I shot her a quick grin before turning my attention back to the road. “No harm in that, I suppose. I’ve ordered dinner from the Wharf Shed. The food’s great, but it’s usually pretty busy there, so I thought we’d pick it up and then go somewhere else to eat it. I’m going to take you to one of my favourite picnic spots instead. Sound alright?”

“Sounds great,” she said, smiling over at me.

She seemed much more relaxed than she had been at the beach earlier, which was a huge relief. Maybe I wouldn’t make a fool of myself tonight after all.

“You didn’t have to do this, y’know. I’m fine – what happened at the beach wasn’t your fault.”

“I’m glad you’re okay. And I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to.”

She didn’t say anything and I wanted to be honest about my intentions. If she was at all uncomfortable about this, I’d rather know now. I had the feeling I’d need to prepare myself for the disappointment.

“Look,” I said. “I’m kinda rusty at this whole… thing. I haven’t done anything like this in a long time, so if I do or say anything stupid, I’d be really grateful if you’d just cut me some slack.”

She glanced over at me and I caught her eye for a moment, before I had to turn my attention back to the road.

“I will if you will,” she said quietly. “In case you were wondering, it’s been a while for me, too.”

I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest. The combination of relief at having come clean, and anticipation as to what might come next, raced through me.

We drove through town and I turned off at the bottom end as we made our way along the road that skirted the harbour. She reached forward and touched the small dancing hula girl mounted on my dash. It was tacky, but I liked it.

“This is cool,” she said.

“That’s Leilani.”

“Leilani?”

“Vinnie named her. It was a birthday present a couple of years ago, from him and Jas.”

“Ah, I see.”