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playing part involved the couple running around naked
most of the time.
    Something was clearly wrong with the world when
guys like Cooper and Judd were settled, or whipped as Vaughn like to put it,
while I was alone. No one liked the idea of existing as half of a couple as
much as me. My parents were still in love after decades together. Even now,
their bickering possessed a gooey romantic vibe.
    Despite only seeing Lark on a few occasions, I knew
her face. Hell, I dreamed of that face. So when I raced past as she walked
towards the restaurant, I only needed a glimpse to know it was her.
    Turning the Harley around at the next light, I
hurried back to where I’d seen her. Lark was making great time, but it would be
another fifteen minutes before she reached Denny’s. I stopped the bike next to
the spot where she was waiting for me. Clearly, she’d been walking for a while and
was soaked with sweat.
    “Hey,” I said, frowning at the sight of her flushed
cheeks.
    “I missed the bus.”
    Turning off the Harley, I sighed. “We should have
exchanged numbers so I could pick you up.” Noticing her backpack looking heavy
with books, I frowned again. “Did you just get out of school?”
    “I’m supposed to be studying. My brother was
hanging around and I had to sneak off and I missed the bus.”
    Lark was hot and tired and her hair was a mess from
the long trek. She looked lovely though. Those pink cheeks made me wonder
things. Mainly if they’d be so pink after hours of making love with me.
    “I thought you were nineteen,” I said once my mind
left the idea of us in bed.
    “I am.”
    “So why does your brother care where you go?”
    Lark stared at me with those bright green eyes and
waited to be scolded. I hated the look on her face and why it was there.
Imagining the countless times she must have been beaten down over the years, I refused
to be another disappointment.
    “Wanna get some pulled pork over at Stucky’s?” I
asked, climbing off the Harley.
    Lark blinked hard like she was about to say no, but
wasn’t sure how.
    “Do you not like barbecue?” I asked.
    “I do, but it’s been really slow at the restaurant
and I don’t really have money to spend and…”
    Lark was sweaty and a hint of her eyeliner had
smudged on the right side. Yet, she never looked more beautiful than when I
realized she wanted me. No, she fucking needed me..
    “Let’s stop playing games,” I said, reaching to
wipe the smudge from her face. “This is a date and I’m paying.”
    Before she might protest, I leaned down and kissed
those lips I had craved since the reception. Lark lifted them to me, needing
what I needed. The kiss was soft. Even wanting more, my lips left hers. They
returned to suck softly at her bottom lip once more before relenting.
    When I stepped back, Lark shivered and gave me a
little relieved smile. I knew how she felt. I’d been waiting to do that for
weeks.
    “Let’s go,” I said, holding out my hand.
    Lark’s smile grew and I nearly kissed her again.
She looked lovely like a child on Christmas and I was what Santa left. A guy
could get used to that look.

Chapter Nine - Lark
    After getting our booth at Stucky’s, I headed to
the restroom to clean up. My hair looked like shit and my makeup was a mess. I
even stunk of sweat. Staring at myself in the mirror, I realized I was smiling.
Once again, I smiled even when I wanted to cry.
    How badly I wanted to impress Aaron like he
impressed me. How much I wished I was special or had a talent to make him think
of me in the way I thought of him. Aaron was more than stunning. He amazed me.
Every time I thought of the tattoos on Judd, Tawny, and the others, I marveled
at the artistry.
    Unlike Aaron, I wasn’t really good at anything. I
was okay at lots of things, but there was nothing special about me. I felt like
a loser smiling at myself in the mirror. However, I recalled his lips on mine.
For the first time since arriving, my smile was real.
    He tasted better