SUPRISE
LAURA
Tim grabbed the blanket from the cab and spread it out on the truck bed, arranging a couple of pillows he’d apparently thought to bring. I climbed up, settling in beside him as the first few ads played on the screen.
The movie turned out to be a romantic comedy, one of those predictable but charming stories that made me laugh despite myself.
Tim was easy to talk to, chiming in with sarcastic comments and exaggerated impressions of the characters that had me in stitches.
At one point, he reached over to steal a piece of popcorn from the bag I was holding, and I swatted his hand playfully. “Hey! Get your own snacks.”
“Sharing is caring,” he shot back, grinning as he popped the kernel into his mouth.
As the movie went on, the sky darkened, stars twinkling above us. I leaned back against the pillows, sipping the soda he’d bought me earlier. It was nice–peaceful, even. For once, my mind wasn’t racing.
Near the end of the movie, during one of those cliché–but–sweet declarations of love, Tim shifted beside me. I glanced over, catching the soft look in his eyes.
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“Laura,” he said quietly, his voice barely audible over the soundtrack.
“Yeah?”
He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in slowly. “I’m going to kiss you now because I’ve been thinking about it since you walked out that door and got into my truck.” Tim breathed. H was the complete opposite of Josh. Tim made me feel safe, not in a predictable way. Just no surprises type of way.
—
Josh was a walking surprise and I would never be able to tell what the hell was happening in his head. Tim was an open book.
I could feel my pulse quicken as his face came closer, his gaze searching mine for permission. I didn’t move–couldn’t move- as he tilted his head and pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was soft and tentative at first, but it sent a warmth spreading through me that I hadn’t expected. Tim pulled back just slightly, his nose brushing against mine as he whispered, “Was that okay?”
I nodded, unable to hide the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Yeah. That was… nice.”
He chuckled, his hand brushing a stray piece of hair from my face. “Good. Because I liked that too.”
J My heart fluttered at his words, and for a brief moment, I let myself relax. No overthinking, no worries about lies or complicated feelings. Just this–Tim and I, under the stars, sharing a quiet, perfect moment.
“WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?” A shrill voice squeaked loud
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enough for everyone to hear. It pierced my ear drums, and for a second, I had no clue who it was directed at. Not until I saw the girl with pitch–black hair standing at the foot of the truck with her hand on her hips and a stare that could basically set me on fire.
Tim jumped up next to me. “Sofie! Shit. it’s not what it looks like…” Tim mumbled but I was still frozen in place, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
I looked between Tim and the girl I now know, Sofie. “Bitch, what are you doing in the back of my boyfriend’s pickup truck?” Sofie basically growled like a feral cat.
I looked to Tim, who was of no help as he scratched his neck and stared at the ground. Was he not going to say anything?
I snapped to my senses and got up. “Look. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. He asked me out.” I muttered, embarrassment blooming on my face.
“Tim would never! You probably crawled in here, didn’t you? I mean, please, like Tim would go for something like you!” The girl yelled as I walked past her, not bothering to look at Tim.
I pulled out my phone and requested a ride – the closest was 15 minutes. I’d rather wait 15 minutes next to the side of the road than stay here in the middle of whatever the hell this was.
I was halfway up the road when I heard footsteps hitting the ground behind me. I turned to see an out–of–breath Tim. “Laura. Wait. I’m sorry.”
“You are sorry? What the hell was that? You have a girlfriend Tim! What did you expect would happen?” I turned on him and
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he stopped running, staring at his shoes.
“Honestly. You were just so pretty and I… I don’t know. I just. wanted to see you and kiss you and…” Tim trailed off, but I knew what he was going to say. He wanted a one–night stand…
Isn’t that exactly what I wan
