She held her breath as the ellipses rolled and rolled on the screen.

SETH: Sounds fun. I’ll take care of the accommodations.

She wanted to clarify that he was to get only one room. With one bed. But that would sound like she was throwing herself at him. Besides, Seth wasn’t a naive virgin. A woman didn’t propose a weekend getaway to stay in two separate rooms.

TARA: Then I’ll get the lift tickets.

SETH: Awesome. More details to follow later. Good night.

TARA: Good night.

She was so excited about their date that she doubted she would get much sleep for the rest of the week. She could only hope that thoughts of their first night together would keep Seth up at night as well.

Seth parked a block away from Tara’s house as instructed and hoped that he wouldn’t have to wait long. He didn’t want anyone to report him as a suspicious man parked on their street in the cover of darkness. But more importantly, he couldn’t wait to see Tara. He shifted in his seat but couldn’t get comfortable with so much restless energy coursing through him. Maybe he should sprint back and forth down the street. The neighbors would definitely report him if he ran around the street like his pants were on fire. Well, his pants were on fire, figuratively speaking.

An overnight ski trip with Tara. He was looking forward to spending time with her, skiing and sipping Irish coffee. But tonight … he couldn’t even let himself think about it. The things he wanted to do to her. He was one dirty-minded bastard.

Before he got himself too excited, he spotted Tara walking toward his car with a small duffel bag. He hurried to her and took the bag off her shoulder. Then, because he couldn’t help himself, Seth placed a soft kiss on her lips in a rush of affection. It was so good to see her. When he pulled back, Tara’s eyes were wide with surprise and her lips were curved shyly at the corners.

Impromptu, lust-driven makeout sessions were one thing, but easy affection was somehow more intimate. It was as though they were a couple, who had the right to kiss each other whenever they wanted. He liked the idea of them as a couple, even if only for a few weeks. It felt right.

“Hi,” he whispered. The muted neighborhood, quiet and sleepy in the dark morning, compelled him to make as little noise as possible.

“Hi,” she whispered back.

Seth led her to the passenger’s side and opened the door for her. Once she was settled, he stowed her bag next to his in the trunk and slid into his seat. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” She squirmed in her seat, unable to contain her excitement. “I made us a road-trip playlist.”

“Aww, are you giving me a mixtape, Tara? Does that mean you like like me?”

“Be quiet and drive. And behold the mastery of my playlist.” She sighed and relaxed into her seat as the first strains of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons permeated the air.