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    “No. These shoes are impossible,” she said with a giggle. “You’re a tyrant for making me wear them.” Balancing herself in his arms, she reached down to slip off the offending footwear. “I’m going barefoot.”
    “Ellie,” he complained with an impatient growl. “That is… That is…”
    She tossed the shoes toward their table and came back to him in her stocking-covered feet. She then did a playful little twirl to show off her new ability to move. Slipping back into his arms, she asked, “It’s what? And don’t you dare complain. I’m saving your feet, too.”
    “It’s actually kind of sexy,” he said in a thick voice.
    Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. The look he was giving her was intimate and full of tenderness. It had that uncomfortable feeling thumping in her chest again. This practice date had done nothing but confuse her more.
    * * * *
    Ellie walked to her front door with her arm tucked into Alec’s. “This actually was a really fun night,” she reluctantly admitted. “I had my doubts, but date Alec is actually an okay guy.”
    “You had doubts?” His tone was light and playful as he led her up the front walk. “You should have known I’m quite the catch way before now. I don’t know why it took you so long to figure it out.”
    She shrugged a shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know. Could it be the usual behavior I see from you?” She poked him accusingly in the ribs. “Spraying me with your garden hose, burping, leaving your dirty gym shorts on your bedroom floor for weeks on end, and the many other boy faux pas you commit.”
    “Dating Alec and hanging out at home Alec are like two different men.” He winked. “You’re one of the rare people who has ever gotten to see both sides of the coin. In fact, you might be the only one.”
    She nodded with an affectionate smile. “No one knows you like I do.”
    “No one,” he agreed.
    As she reached the first step of the porch Alec tugged her hand to pull her to a stop. As she spun to face him, the question died in her throat when he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers.
    The kiss caught her by surprise. It came so suddenly that she didn’t have time to worry over what to do or how to react. She simply melted against him with a content sigh.
    Alec swept her hair back from her face and deepened the kiss. His body moved forward to brush ever so gently along the front of hers.
    This was unlike any kiss she’d ever experienced before. The few attempts she’d made of it in the past had been anything but spectacular. An awkward brush of lips. A quick, shy peck. This was…ethereal. This was what it was like to really be kissed.
    Just when she thought it couldn’t get any better, he nudged her lips apart. His tongue grazed ever so gently across her bottom lip before flicking up to caress her own.
    Her heart nearly stopped as she leaned closer to him, wanting more.
    And just as suddenly, he pulled back. He took a few steps backward with an amused chuckle. “Very good. Do that Saturday and Jake will be putty.” He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his slacks and bobbed his head in farewell. “I’ll see you Monday for the game?”
    Ellie felt as if her brain had been fried. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe. She just stared at him, feeling numb. Yet warmth was radiating through her chest, and she felt as if her skin was electrically charged. Knowing she needed to respond, she forced her head to nod. “Y…yeah. I’ll see you Monday.”
    “See ya Monday.” With that, he turned and sauntered down the driveway to head to his own home.
    She watched him retreat and tried to convince her heart to…stop…whatever it was it was doing. He’d kissed her. So what? It hadn’t meant anything. To either of them…right?
    Not wanting to even entertain such a thought, she entered the house and ran quickly up the stairs to her room. She didn’t want to talk to her mother right now. Her mom would