59

Bailey's pov

The ride was quiet but not awkward at all. It was strangely comforting.

Half way through the drive, Kaleb had placed his hand on my thigh. I

had no intention of pushing his hand off, but I could tell he was nervous

that I would with the tension I felt in his grip. However, as the time went

by without me pushing his hand off, he relaxed and gripped me more

firm.

"Where are we going?" I asked, sneaking a glance at him. We had

been driving for an hour and he showed no signs of stopping any time

soon.

I saw the quirk of his lips at the corner as he tried to resist a smile. *

Hmmm, does nothing look familiar to you?" his eyes caught mine briefly

before he brought his attention back to the road ahead.

I squinted out the window, trying to make out any signs that could give

away our destination. Familiarity made me smile. I turn to him with a

whip of my head, grinning widely. * Are we going to your parents beach

house?"

Seeing the happy gleam in my eyes, Kaleb looked at me fondly, biting

his lower lip and nodding to confirm my suspicion while his thumb

lightly tracing circles on my thigh. The gesture sent shivers down my

spine.

Ten minutes later and the vehicle rolled to a top in front of a beautiful

beach house nestled against the backdrop of the sea. I unbuckled my

seat belt, now less nervous and more excited to dip my toes into the

sand. I could hear the waves crashing ashore from here and my heart

sang.

It has been a while since I've come here with the twins.

We stepped out of the car and the sound of the waves grew louder.

Kaleb looked at the beach and then looked at me over the roof of the

vehicle.

I sucked in a shallow breath when the sunlight strikes in his irises,

causing them to glimmer with warmth. " I had to bring you to my

favorite place for our first date.” There's something boyish about him

now that he was here, it made me smile.

" Come." He nudged his head to the beach, shifting away from the

vehicle.

Kaleb took my hand when I am beside him, holding me close as he led

me to the pathway to the beach. The air smelt like saltwater and I

sighed, curling closer to him.

“ This is where I could always be just Kaleb." He uttered, his words

tinged with a smile. I peeked at him through my lashes to see that he

was sporting a soft smile, as though lost in his own little world.

I nearly tripped when he suddenly turn to me, catching me staring at

him. His eyes twinkle and his smile spread. " This is where I am most

vulnerable and I want to be vulnerable with you."

So occupied with staring at him, I hadn't noticed we had stopped

walking. Turning to me, he gripped my hand and gave it a soft squeeze.

"I want to show you how I can be the guy for you Bailey. I really want to

be."

His confession made my heart skip a beat and a tingle rush down my

spine. Knots form in my belly and I am tongue tied. Seeing this Kaleb

eyes soften and he tore his eyes away to look at the sea.

My gaze followed his and for a moment my mind went blank, unsure of

how to react or know what to say.

In the close distance I could see a set up of a tent surrounded by

candles and flower petals that made a heart shape. This feels like it

came straight out of a dream and my heart swelled wondering if he set

this up himself.

I stood there captivated by the intimate setup he had arranged and

gazed at the flickering candle lights that casted a warm glow around the

tent. My heart thud.

This....this was beautiful.

Kaleb turns to me, his eyes searching for a reaction but I am so lost on

the sight before me I cannot seem to tear my eyes away nor say

anything as yet.

" After I dropped off Mira I went to buy some stuff and set this up." His

words made me peel my eyes away from the setup and look at him.

He's scratching the back of his head with a pink flush on his neck

leading to his cheeks.

Butterflies flutter in my belly and all I can think about was why I hadn't

agreed to be his sooner.

"It kind of took longer than I expected but I am happy I was able to

come pick you up before the time I had set.” He grinned, flashing his

pearly whites in a boyish proud way.

I dragged in a breath, the salty scent of the ocean and Kaleb's cologne

pushing into my lungs. It made me feel a rush of tingles that I enjoyed.

Seeing how quiet I am, the smile begun to drop and his eyes begun to

lose that sweet warm glimmer I now realize he only showed me. It was

different than the warmth he showed his parents, sister and friends. It

was different...for me.

Finally I found my voice, it cracked with emotion but it still manage to

come out clear enough for him. "I love it."

I looked back at the set up, my eyes stinging. It wasn't because of the

slight sand whirling around in the cool breeze, it was because I could

no longer hold in my emotions.

Kaleb had done this for me? Set all of this for me?

“1 love it." I whispered, more clearly now, my heart hammering behind

my chest as I return my gaze to his. His irises, they are warmer now,

twinkling with the same emotion I felt.

"It's amazing Kaleb, absolutely beautiful.” I choked on my emotions

and he squeezed me hand, pulling me into a warm hug, squeezing me

to him as I silently cry on his chest, soaking up his shirt.

"Why are you crying? Why does it feel as though you think you don't

deserve this flower?" He croaked out, holding the back of my head and

then running his fingers through my strands in a gentle soothing

manner.

Because I don't.

I am keeping him a secret and have been such a bitch about him

pursuing me. I don't deserve his efforts.

"Yes." I whispered but of course it is muffled because my lips is

pressed to his shirt.

"Hmm?" He asked, continuing to soothe his hand down my head in a

caressing manner.

I peeled my face off his shirt, sniffling as I lift my tear filled eyes to his.

My heart beats quickly at the fondness he regarded me with.

"Yes. Yes I will be your girlfriend.”