On my way home, I stopped at a gas station on the quiet side of town.
I filled my car with gas and rubbed my face, listening to the radio while a warm summer breeze flowed through my hair as I leaned against my car. I took a deep breath.
This was the most relaxed I'd felt in a while.
A truck pulled up on the other side of the pump, and I ignored it—until someone popped their head around the corner.
"Kyle," I said, taking out the gas nozzle and tapping it against the pump, shaking my head.
"Emma," he replied.
I could tell he was smiling. I bit the inside of my lip, trying not to smile back. We'd been talking a little bit lately, and it had been nice having someone who understood me again.
"Did you follow me here?" I gave him a half-smile, leaning back against my car and crossing my arms.
He finally stepped around the pump, trying to act casual as he leaned against a pole—and completely missed, falling straight onto the concrete.
I looked away, suppressing a laugh.
"Ouch… my ego… it's broken," he joked, holding his side.
I walked over, grabbed his hand, and helped him halfway up before letting go and running into the gas station, laughing.
He stumbled up and ran in after me.
I hid behind an aisle, giggling to myself, when suddenly a large pair of hands grabbed me and tossed me over his shoulder.
"Kyle! Put me down!" I laughed as I felt his fingers squeeze my sides.
"Don't you dare—" I said, and he tickled me while grabbing a drink.
I laughed hysterically, trying to grab his hands, until he finally put me down, smiling.
I gave him a death stare, trying not to smile.
"No." I pointed at him, attempting to look mad.
"Yes," he smirked, grabbing my favorite drink and his.
I reached for another can, but he stopped me.
"No, I'm paying," he said, holding up my drink.
I wanted to argue, but he clearly wasn't giving up.
"Fine… but I'm paying for snacks."
I smiled and bolted down the aisle, grabbing two things I knew we both liked and rushing to the counter before he could stop me.
When we got back outside, I already knew what we were doing.
We'd done this the last three Fridays.
I parked my car off to the side of the gas station and climbed into his truck, noticing the blankets in the back as I opened my drink.
"Are we going back to last time's spot?" I asked, looking over at him as he pulled onto the main road.
"Yeah," he said, smiling at me.
"Eyes on the road, sir." I smacked his arm lightly.
"Owww, you're such a meanie," he whined jokingly.
"Oh no," I teased. "Do I need to kiss your boo-boo?"
"Maybe I do."
"Too bad," I giggled.
He rested his hand on the center console, and I smiled to myself.
We drove for a while.
There was about an hour until sunset, and the weather was perfect. He let me play my music through his stereo, the windows down, my hair twisting in the wind as I rested my head back and closed my eyes.
I could feel him glancing at me from time to time, but I didn't say anything.
We arrived at our spot at the perfect moment—the sky glowing orange and red as he backed the truck into place.