Over the next two weeks, everything seemed perfect. I had Emmett, and we were deliriously happy. More than I ever thought, or even hoped to be. We went out on dates in public where we might run into anyone. We even went back to Vibrant a few times. Last week, Emmett finally got his cast taken off, which made sex and spooning a lot easier.

Sitting on the lawn in Crestview Park, with Emmett's head resting in my lap, I stroked his hair, as enthralled by watching him as he was by the world in his novel. We sat beneath the same tree we lounged under on the day we confessed our love. We'd been back to this spot many times since that day. Sometimes after school, we would grab a late lunch from the food trucks. Then always back to this spot just to enjoy being together without the worries of school, friends, or parents. Here, it was just the two of us. That's the way I preferred it. I suspected Emmett would say the same.

On occasion, he would read to me from whatever novel he'd given me recently. I could listen to his voice for hours. He got so animated while reading, giving the characters distinct voices, acting out their feelings as if this were Shakespeare in the Park. So far he'd given me Wuthering Heights and Great Expectations. I much preferred the latter. He was right about the characters in Wuthering Heights. They were all intolerable selfish people. After he finished his glorious act, he'd spout these long lectures of what the characters and their motivations represented for the time. Inevitably, this would lead him to talking about the authors. I didn't follow half of what he said, but I loved to see him get that passionate. Oh my God, did I love it.

But he was reading something new currently, and thoroughly engrossed. His lips mouthing incoherent shapes as his green eyes scanned the page at a much faster pace than I could ever hope to match.

I hated to interrupt, but I had something I wanted to talk about. "So, baby, you know, next week is my school's homecoming week."

Emmett glanced up at me quickly before returning his attention to his reading. "Is it?"

"It is. And I was thinking, I already have this amazing, cool ass suit that would be perfect for the dance."

He puckered his lips and nodded, his eyes still trained on the book. "It would be."

"There's really only one thing I actually need."

"What's that, love?" Emmett mumbled, sounding barely interested.

I huffed. "A date. I need a date, Emmett."

"Oh, yeah." He said it like he hadn't thought of that. "People usually take dates to those things."

Annoyed by his nonchalant attitude, I pushed the book down against his chest so that he would look at me. I could tell he was being oblivious on purpose, teasing me.

I glared at him with a single brow raised. "Got any ideas about who I could take?"

"I guess you'll just have to ask someone and see what they say." The corner of Emmett's mouth quirked up.

"Okay." I picked up Emmett's book and slipped the bookmark in to keep his place. As I set it aside on top of his messenger bag, he sat up and faced me.

I took hold of his hands, staring into his lovely green eyes, the sunshine making the golden bit around his pupil shine more vividly. "Emmett, will you be my date to the homecoming dance?"

"Why, yes, Clay. I would love to." he said with a lighthearted laugh. "Now, was that so hard?"

I launched myself at him. "You're such an asshole!"

We tussled for a bit, rolling around in the grass, giggling like children. When I started tickling him, Emmett called for a truce. I ceased the attack and leaned back, raising my hands in a detente. Emmett's face was beet red. We both panted to catch our breath.

"You know I hate being tickled." Emmett said.

"That's why I did it."

"You realize I know what you hate, too. What if I dressed up as a clown the next time you came over? How would you like that?"

I nodded. "Point taken. I'm sorry."

"Thank you." He leaned over and kissed my cheek. "And I'm sorry I was giving you a hard time. I really would love to go to your dance with you."

"Good." I smiled at him and leaned in for a proper kiss. When I broke away, I brushed my fingers across Emmett's stubbly jaw. His stubble always looked much thicker than mine, even after only one day of not shaving. Probably because his hair was so dark. "We should really go."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I want to do things with you that are extremely inappropriate for public viewing. Illegal even."

Emmett grinned. "In that case, let's definitely get out of here."

Emmett hurriedly packed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He took hold of my hand as we raced back to the car to find a more suitable place to enact my ideas.