“I’m sorry.” Even though the sun was going down, she could still see that Nick’s face was turning a deep crimson color. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m an idiot. Let’s just forget it.”
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t say we should forget it. I don’t think I want to. Actually, I kind of feel the same way. It’s just that…wow…I just met you, and I already feel like I’ve known you forever. You know more than most of my other friends know about me. And I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, especially not this soon. We’re moving really fast. Honestly, I’m scared. Really scared.”
“I know how you feel, Beth. I mean, I don’t even know your last name. And I don’t even know your real first name, I don’t think. Is Beth your name or is it Elizabeth?”
“My full name is Elizabeth Anne Willow. What about you? What’s yours?” she asked.
“Nickolas Gene Carter,” he replied cautiously. When she showed no sign of recognition, he let out a sigh of relief. “So, uh, where does this put us?” he asked awkwardly.
“I don’t know. I like you a lot, and I’m guessing you like me a lot.”
“Well, yeah, otherwise I wouldn’t have said you were my dream girl.” He hesitated. “Do you want to make this official, like a real relationship thingie or do you not wanna go that fast?”
“It’s your call.”
He thought for a moment. “I wanna make this official. Here goes. Do you want to be my girlfriend?”
“I would love to,” she replied.
He grinned widely. “I kinda thought you’d say that.” He put his arm around her.
There was a moment of silence before Beth spoke softly. “Can we take this kinda slow? I’ve had awful experiences with guys before…I’ve been hurt a lot.”
“Of course we can. Whatever you need.” He looked at the now darkened sky and the twinkling little candles it held. “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight,” he recited. ‘I wish this relationship would last forever,’ he thought. “We should probably be getting home soon, huh?”
“Just a second, I haven’t made my wish yet.” She paused. ‘I wish this relationship would be different from my other ones and not end up with me getting hurt,’ she wished. “Okay.”
“Ready to go, then?”
“Yeah, I told my mom I’d be home around nine.”
“Do you want to hang out tomorrow night? During the day, I have plans with some friends in Orlando, and then I’m hanging out with Brian, but after eight, I’m free. We could just sit out on the beach behind our houses.”
“That sounds great.”