The Perfect Match

by Melody Summers

  “I know,” Delaney sighed. “I just want you to be as happy as we are.”

  The others nodded solemnly at her words and my throat went tight. My friends were the best. What would I ever do without them?

  After a while I began to doubt that my actions had led to Dylan dumping Kylie. Whatever was going on with him, he wasn't in any more hurry to seek out my company than I was his. Other than a couple of noncommittal smiles in our literature class, we'd had no interaction at all. I wanted to call him, ached to hear the sound of his voice low and sexy in my ear, but I made myself hold off. Patience was not my strong suit, though, and the waiting soon began to grate.

  But when a whole week passed with no changes, my optimism flickered dimmed. I wasn't sure exactly what it was that I'd been hoping for, but anything would have been better than nothing at all. I could have made the next move, but I still wasn't sure that Dylan even wanted me to and all my instincts pushed me to avoid setting myself up to get hurt again.

  I was determined not to let myself sink back into that dark pit of despair, though, so I spent Friday night with my friends at Molly's. Dani couldn't make it, but Nicole was there to provide a fourth player for our games. While I kicked everyone's butts at Mario Kart, we listened to Nicole bemoaning her problems with the guy she was interested in. They were almost a mirror image of my issues with Dylan—she knew that he liked her, but his friendship with her brother prevented them from seeing each other except in secret. It put my own problems into perspective, because if Dylan decided he did like me there was nothing to stop us from dating. Dani had already given her blessing, and my friends all liked him.

  Nicole's sad story made me want to take the next step with Dylan more than ever. Life is too short, and I wanted to take advantage of every possible second we could have together. But I still wasn't sure what to do, or even if I should do anything yet.

  I spent most of the rest of the weekend working on my book report for my literature class, which I'd been majorly procrastinating on. I'd been too preoccupied to make much headway, even though I'd done reports on Wuthering Heights before so it should have been easy. Every time I tried to start, thoughts of Dylan's laughing blue eyes and the electric intensity of our kiss would distract me. Would I ever feel the velvet touch of his lips again? Or would I lose him the way Heathcliff lost Cathy and be doomed to a life of bitter regret for not seizing the chances that I'd been offered?

  The paper was due Monday morning, though, so I forced myself to push on even though I wasn't feeling it. At that point I just wanted it done—as long as I made a B or a C on it, I didn't care. My grade in the class was high enough that it wouldn't make much difference either way. The going was still slow, though, and I ended up staying up late Sunday night finishing the final draft.

  I was not at my best when my alarm went off Monday morning. I hit the snooze button three times before I finally dragged myself out of bed, and then had to rush to get ready. I tried to make myself look decent since we had to present our reports in front of the class, but there was only so much I could do in five minutes. All I could do was hope that I didn't get called on today.

  Luck was in my favor for a change—I didn't have to face the class. But Dylan did.

  I leaned back and listened, curious to find out what he'd read. The boy was scrumptious in faded jeans and a dark blue shirt when he strode up to the front of the class with a confident smile. To my surprise his eyes fell on me, and my heart did a lazy roll when he held my gaze for a long moment. His next words almost made me fall out of my seat.

  “My report is on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.”

  My jaw dropped in shock. No way. Dylan had actually read Pride and Prejudice? I missed his opening as my mind churned over this latest surprise. Why had he read it? That day I ran into him at the bookstore he told me he'd never read it before, so he must have read it since then. But of all the books he could have chosen, why this one? Unless... Had he read it because I told him I liked it? Why would he do that? I shook my head and concentrated on Dylan's voice as he launched into a description of the setting and characters. He knew the material well enough that he barely glanced at his notes, and I hung on every word while he outlined the plot. I would have happily gone on listening to him for hours, but each student only got ten minutes so it wasn't long before he began to wrap up.

  Once more his eyes sought mine, and I gulped when I realized that his next words were intended for me.

  “One of the main points of the story is the prejudice which Elizabeth has for Mr. Darcy, based on her first impression of him. It causes her to believe the worst of him and to distrust anything he might say. As the story progresses, though, events and a deeper understanding of his character combine to make her realize his true nobility. This understanding sparks her growth within the story when she admits that she has been mistaken about him.”

  He cleared his throat and read from his paper.

  “I, who have prided myself on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities! Who have often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity in useless or blameable mistrust! How humiliating is this discovery! Yet, how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind! But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession, and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself.”

  As he finished he looked straight at me.

  “It is Lizzie's realization of her own fallibility that is Austen's lesson to all of us. We are all fallible, and we let our personal feelings deceive us about the people around us while at the same time priding ourselves on how well we judge them.”

  Our teacher dismissed him to his desk, and I sat wrapped in a buzzing glow of joy. He really had done it for me. My heart was lighter than air, and only the desk anchoring me to earth kept me from sailing away. I had no idea what any of the reports that followed were about. The teacher could have called on me to present my book and I doubt I would have even heard her. It wasn't until the bell rang that I emerged from my musings and fell back into reality.

  Dylan was waiting for me when I stepped out of the classroom. With a tiny smile he held out his hand. I suffered one last second of hesitation, then I reached out and took it. His fingers were warm and strong wrapped around mine as he led me out into the quad and found a quiet corner. I could only stare at him, because my tongue was frozen to the top of my mouth.

  “Allie, are you okay?”

  I nodded mutely.

  “Look, I'm sorry for what I said last week.”

  “It's okay,” I managed to squeak out.

  “No, it isn't. I know you too well to truly believe that you'd ever do anything to deliberately hurt someone. The truth is that ever since that night I kissed you I've been scared, because it would kill me if you ever dropped me the way Dani or Elora did. And since I knew about how you felt about Seth... But you wouldn't ever do that to someone. Not you. And I'm sorry for misjudging you. All I can say is that I won't do it again.”

  “I was scared, too,” I told him. “That was why I set you up with those other girls. Every guy I've ever gone out with has ditched me without a backwards glance. It was safer to push you away. But after that kiss I didn't care about being safe anymore. I just wanted you to kiss me again.”

  Dylan gave a rueful laugh. “Oh, you have no idea how much I've been thinking about that kiss.”

  I smiled sweetly at him. “Did you think about it while you were kissing Kylie?”

  Dylan's grimace was all the answer I needed. “Can we forget about Kylie? Please?”

  “Well... I suppose I can't punish you for that since Dani pushed her on you.”

  “Good. So, would you like to go on a dolphin tour with me?”

  I couldn't help pushing his buttons just a little. “Are you sure you wouldn't r
ather take Kylie?”

  He was still holding my hand, and he pulled me closer until our bodies met and he was looking deep into my eyes.

  “You're the only girl I want to see the dolphins with. And you're the only girl I want to kiss.”

  His face bent towards mine until his breath tickled warm against my lips.

  “Dylan! Not here! We'll get in trouble!”

  “I've been in trouble since the night I saw you covered in ketchup,” he murmured.

  My heart fluttered. Awwwww. The boy was too sweet.

  “But I...”

  His lips silenced any further protest. Not that I exactly minded. I was swept up again, just like our first kiss, in a caress so soft and tender that I could hardly believe it was real. I felt wanted, cherished, and I knew that Dylan would never hurt me. I was aware of his arms slipping possessively around my waist, and I snuggled happily into his embrace. I was exactly where I belonged, and I intended to stay there.

  His mouth pressed against mine, hot and greedy as he backed me up against the wall. I welcomed the chill of the bricks—it might keep me from melting into a hot puddle of goo. Our lips sizzled together, and as his tongue brushed lightly against mine my nerves went haywire. My pulse pounded in my ears and tingling fire wrapped my whole body in bliss. I gave a little moan and buried my hands in Dylan's soft hair. I wanted more, wanted to go on kissing him forever.

  My breath came in soft little pants as we parted, and I leaned my head on Dylan's shoulder.

  “Who needs mistletoe?” he asked with a low chuckle. “That's why you're the only girl I want to kiss.”

  “I'm okay with that.”

  “Good.” He brushed his velvety lips against mine once more. “And now you'd better run or you're going to be late for your next class. I'll see you at lunch.”

  I don't think my feet touched the ground for the rest of the day. We had lunch together every day after that, and even though it was usually with our friends we were so wrapped up in each other that it often felt like we existed in our own little bubble. We held hands in the halls, and texted and talked every chance we got, often until we fell asleep at night. It was heaven.

  When the weekend finally came we had our first opportunity to be alone. We agreed to hold off on the dolphin tour until the weather got better, but we found plenty of other things to do instead. Dylan stowed our bikes in the back of his truck and we took a long ride along the beach then had a picnic at the park. Later that afternoon we went to his house to learn each others' favorite movies and TV shows. I wanted to find out everything about him, to spend every second with him. I dreaded having to go home at the end of the evening, but his passionate goodnight kiss almost made it worthwhile.

  “You busy tomorrow?” he asked as he reluctantly let me out of his arms.

  “I was planning to spend the day with a guy I know.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yeah. He's tall, sexy, and incredibly handsome.”

  “Maybe one of these days you can introduce us.”

  I laughed. “I would love to spend tomorrow with you. What did you have in mind?”

  “How about I surprise you?”

  “I like surprises. Will it involve kissing?”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  “Then we could hang out at the city dump and I wouldn't care.”

  “I think I can do better than that.”

  “Okay. Goodnight, then.”

  “Goodnight, beautiful.”

  Oh, it hurt to watch him leave and know it would be hours before I saw him again.

  I woke to a beautiful morning that felt like spring even though it was still January. The last time I'd looked forward to a day this much I'd been in elementary school waiting for Santa Claus to come. My phone dinged while I was getting my coffee.

  Dylan: Good morning sunshine

  Me: Hey you!

  Dylan: Are you up?

  Me: Yep. Having my coffee

  Dylan: How about I pick you up in 45 minutes?

  Me: Okay. That'll give me time to get enough coffee in me to be human

  Dylan: Great. See you then

  My heart was singing as I rushed to get dressed and put on some makeup so I wouldn't scare him away when he showed up. I must have done all right, judging from the expression in his eyes when I opened the door. He looked like a lion waiting to pounce—if he'd had a tail he would have been lashing it, and it sent wonderful shivers of anticipation rippling down my spine.

  His lips curved up in a slow, wicked grin. “I'm not a morning person, but with this to look forward to I could change my mind.”

  “Goofball.” I bounced into his arms and our lips met in a deep, lingering kiss that woke me up more than two pots of coffee could have.

  “Yep. Definitely going to become a morning person.”

  I grinned happily and held his hand while we walked to his truck. As we drove off, I tucked my hand under his arm to claim him.

  “So where are we going?”

  “You'll see,” he said with an enigmatic smile.

  We ended up on the north side of Port Aransas, driving past rusty warehouses, abandoned industrial sites, and weed-covered fields dotted with the gray skeletons of bare oak and mesquite trees. After a while Dylan pulled onto a dirt road and parked before what looked to me like a jumble of scrap lumber.

  “What is this place?”

  “Come see.”

  He pulled a cooler and a duffel bag from the bed of his truck. I followed him around the side of the lumber pile, and suddenly order leaped out of the chaos. A thick concrete slab was covered with ramps and curved banks made of plywood and two-by-fours. While I stared at it, Dylan opened the bag and pulled out two skateboards—the one we'd used before, and a brand new one decorated with a gold, purple, and red beach sunset scene.

  “It's gorgeous,” I told him.

  “It's yours. We had fun doing this before, and I thought you might like to try it again.”

  “Here?” I stared at the ramps with a little thrill of fear. “I'm not sure if I can do that.”

  He reached over and took my hand. “Of course you can. Remember how it felt when you went down that hill? Like you were flying?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It gets even better.”

  It was still scary. “Well...”

  “Do you trust me?”

  I looked into his clear blue eyes and my doubts disappeared. I trusted him absolutely. I was safe with him, body and heart.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “That's my girl. But first...”

  He gathered me in for a brief, hot kiss that made my toes curl.

  “Now we can get started.”

  It was the perfect start to the rest of my life.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You are going to make me fat,” I announced as I pushed away a plate with the last crumbs of a cinnamon roll on it.

  Dylan gave me his best innocent look. “Hey, you're the one who got me hooked on them in the first place, remember?”

  “I remember.”

  I basked in the warm glow of the memory of our first night at Caroline's.

  “So it's all your fault,” he concluded smugly.

  I frowned down at my plate again. I was going to have to start hitting the gym an extra day every week at this rate.

  “I wonder how many calories we burn off kissing?” I mused.

  Dylan reached over and twined his fingers through mine. “As sweet as your kisses are? Those cinnamon rolls aren't half as fattening.”

  “Awww, you big sap,” I said, squeezing his hand.

  I was so lucky. Dating Dylan had surpassed my wildest dreams. I'd seen my friends with their boyfriends, but seeing it and living it were two very different things. I'd never imagined feeling this way, with my heart light as a feather and all the pieces of my life fitting together for the first time. I loved my friends, but Dylan was so much more. He'd become my best friend—plus there was the kissing! The whole world seemed aliv
e and golden around me, brushing up against nerves that sang in awareness of Dylan close beside me.

  I had to laugh at myself. It was nothing like what I'd imagined from reading about Heathcliff and Cathy in Wuthering Heights. Theirs had been a dark blaze of hopeless, irrational passion. This was more like laughter made of sunshine and warm ocean breezes, and I was so happy my skin could hardly contain it. Even though I felt like a balloon about to burst with joy, I never wanted it to end. But from the way Dylan's eyes gleamed when he looked at me, it wasn't something I needed toworry about.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked.

  I drained the last of my coffee and stood up. “Might as well get it over with.”

  We were meeting everyone at Walker's for the day, and Delaney was about to spontaneously combust with excitement. The four of us were all part of couples at last. I felt a pang for Nicole, who was still struggling to work things out with the boy she liked and had decided to give today a miss. I couldn't blame her. I knew firsthand how it felt to be the odd girl out with no boyfriend.

  On the other hand, her being there would have taken some of the pressure off of me and Dylan. If all of my friends were too preoccupied worrying about her problems, they wouldn't be spending as much time teasing us about our new relationship. Dylan must have read my mind because he winked as helped me into his truck.

  “Relax, babe. They'll get it out of their systems in a few days, once the new has worn off.”

  “I don't want the new to wear off. I want it to feel like this forever.”

  “Maybe it will. I don't know—I've never felt like this about anybody before.”

  His words left me warm and goopy. I'd never believed I'd make someone feel that way, and for it to be Dylan was purely miraculous. I really was the luckiest girl in the world.

  Hand in hand, we passed through the gate into Walker's backyard. It amazed me how well our hands fit despite the difference in sizes, like a couple of magnets snapping together. I was so proud to be there with him. Walker, Quinn, and Ashton were among the hottest guys in school, but Dylan was every bit their match. And he was all mine.