The Bad Boy Bargain (Suttonville Sentinels #1)(29)

He put the car in gear, both hands on the wheel—which made her feel better about him letting go—and they glided away from the house. The Charger growled its way through town although, true to his word, Kyle stuck to the speed limit. Okay, maybe five miles an hour over, but that didn’t really count.

Faith peered out the window. The sun had long since retired and streetlights glowed as they drove to downtown, where historic buildings and trendy restaurants lined the sides of the road. “Will you tell me where we’re going?”

“I will,” he answered, flipping on the right turn signal. “Because we’re here.”

He pulled into the lot at the Suttonville Gardens and Arboretum. There wasn’t a single car around, and all the lights were off, save a few in the back of the large greenhouse that held most of the exhibits. A little knot of anxiety burrowed into her spine. Just what did he think was going to happen here?

“Um, I think they’re closed,” she squeaked, instantly hating herself for sounding so timid. Seize the day, girl! That thought was in Vi’s voice, but it wasn’t any less true.

Kyle was watching her. “I know the manager. He said we could tour the gardens after hours, a private showing. If you’d rather go somewhere else, we could—”

He sounded so earnest, not like a guy trying to seduce a naive dancer. And it was the arboretum. He’d brought her to a place that meant something to him. Not some party, cheesy club, or even to his house for his version of “Netflix and chill.” He’d brought her to a place full of plants, and from his expression, he really wanted her to like it.

She unfroze and smiled. “There’s no other place I’d rather be.”

His smile in return was pleased. “Good. Because the place isn’t the only surprise. Come on, I’ll show you.”

Deciding to trust in whatever Kyle had cooked up, she climbed out of the car. “Lead the way.”

They entered the greenhouse through a back door. Kyle had a key. “Where’d you get that?”

“I know a guy,” he said, sounding a lot more sure of himself now. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”

They went through a tiny office and a nursery of sorts, where little trees were propped up in posts with sticks and twine. “This is where they start seedlings,” he said, pointing at one group of pots. The trees were barely eight inches high. “Those are from a historic pecan in the park. They’re trying to replicate it.”

He went to a small fridge in the corner that she hadn’t noticed and pulled a shopping bag out. She frowned. “We’re not here to steal plants, are we?”

He laughed, and it changed his whole face. He looked younger, vulnerable. “I promised you dinner, remember?”

She stared down at her shoes. When would she ever figure out how to talk to him? Probably right after they graduated and she never saw him again. “Right.”

He came over and took her hand. It was warm in hers, and she realized she’d been missing it since he let go in the car. “Now for the surprise.”

She followed him into the main greenhouse, warm and humid after the cool spring night. Exotic plants bloomed everywhere she looked, a riot of pinks, reds, oranges, and purples. The air hung heavy with the scent of earth and green things growing. Faith took a deep breath. Underneath the smell of gardening soil, a dozen different perfumes tickled her nose.

“Wow,” she whispered.

“You’ve never been here, have you?” Kyle’s eyes sparkled, and he seemed pleased by her reaction.

“No. I missed the field trip in third grade.” She turned, taking it all in. “It’s beautiful.”

“This isn’t even the best part.” He squeezed her hand, and heat climbed the back of her neck. “Over here.”

“Over here” turned out to be a small lawn lining a huge bed of azaleas in spring colors of pink, lavender, and white. A white blanket was spread out on the grass next to a picnic basket.

A whole host of butterflies took flight in her stomach. “How did you do all this?”

“Like I said, I know a guy.” Kyle’s cocky smile was back. “Well, more than one.”

Faith sank down on the blanket and crossed her legs, wishing, for once, that they weren’t so long. She wasn’t used to being self-conscious, but something about Kyle made it all too easy. Like it was important to impress him, and wondering if she was good enough. “I love it.”

He set the bag down and knelt to dig through it. “Good.” The look he shot her was intense. “You deserve to have someone try to impress you.”

She ducked her head, not sure what to think, having just wondered how to impress him. Seems like they were both trying too hard. “Not more than any other girl.”

“True. Most girls deserve it, but it never happens.” His voice was soft. “Which is why it’s your turn.”

“With you?” she asked, teasing. “Why, Kyle, I’m shocked.”

He flushed. “That’s, um, not exactly what I meant.”

“It’s okay. I know you’ve dated a lot of girls. And I am impressed.” She reached out to brush a pink azalea petal with her fingertip, not sure what to think. Was she really special to him, or was this his way of pulling her into the Kyle Sawyer Mile-High Club? “But you don’t have to make this kind of effort just for my sake. I know what the score is.”