Free Inspire by Heather Buchine

was already covered with a tablecloth and the plates were laid out. To the left of the table in their “yard” was a fire pit that had a roaring fire going with a bunch of chairs set out around it. My dad immediately popped a squat by the fire, and Lucille offered him a beer. Then she served my mom and me some lemonade as we helped her finish laying out the utensils and napkins around the table.
    Barney and Travis had yet to come out, and I wasn’t even sure if they were inside. “So how was your day Paige? Did you make it to the pool party?” Lucille asked and her question relayed that Travis had not filled her in on anything.
    “I had a good day, and yes, I did go to the party for a little bit. It was fun and Travis was very hospitable.” I kept my answer simple and polite leaving out all the drama that took place towards the end.
    All of a sudden I felt hands grab my waist from behind and heard a soft “Boo!” in my ear. I screamed, completely startled by Travis’s approach and practically leaped in the air. He had come from the woods behind me, and no one had let on about his presence. Of course, everyone burst out laughing at my reaction, and I turned to see Travis chuckling too.
    “Jerk,” I sarcastically huffed and smacked him in the chest. He gave me a wink and then released his hands from my hips. The loss of contact sent a chill down my spine and I realized how flirty his actions had been.
    “Gotcha!” he said as he went over to greet my parents: kissing my mom’s cheek and shaking my Dad’s hand. I took the opportunity to check out his body in his low rise ripped jeans and his black t-shirt. His hair was still a little damp so it was more shaggy than spiked, but he looked good!
    A car pulled into the drive moments later and Barney hopped out with a couple boxes of pizza. “Dinner is served,” he called as he made his way to the table. He greeted us all and then took a seat with my dad by the fire while Lucille and my mom finished putting out the salads and dressings.
    “Hospitable, huh?” Travis said, coming to my side to chat obviously having overheard my comment to his mom.
    “Yep, you made sure that everyone had their ice cream,” I giggled.
    “Yeah, I was also the cause of you getting drenched. Sorry about that. Ashley can be a pain sometimes.” His comment about Ashley lacked any endearment, which left me curious. I was desperate to find out whether he was dating her or not, but didn’t want to seem too forward by asking.
    “Don’t worry about it. I don’t think she likes me though.” I failed in my attempt to come across unscathed by her treatment, and regretted my comment right away.
    “She doesn’t like the fact that you’re drop dead gorgeous.” Travis’s tone was so matter of fact, but it was the sweetest compliment I had ever received.
    “You kids ready to eat?” Barney asked, coming up behind us and putting his arms on our shoulders.
    “Yep, I’m starved,” Travis said, then turned to give me a wink and a smile. As we headed toward the table, I felt his hand press on the small of my back as he guided me to my seat.
    “Thanks,” I said as he sat down across from me. The soft contact left me wanting more and I worried whether I was developing feelings for someone that was untouchable.
    We spent most of the dinner talking about Travis and me heading to Columbia in the fall. Our dads were discussing our educational tracks and giving us scheduling recommendations, while our moms were running over all of their worries and concerns for us being on our own for the first time. It was clear that Lucille was having just as difficult a time adjusting to the fact that her only son was going off to college and leaving the nest. I was happy that our moms would have this summer to help each other face the reality.
    Travis and I sat interjecting and answering everyone’s questions. Throughout the meal, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. Every time I would look over, I