The Crystal's Curse by Vicky de Leo Page B

reached for her hand.
    She looked down and watched as his thumb lightly rubbed her knuckles. “I just never found anyone I really cared about spending time with . . . until now,” she added in a small voice, blushing.
    “Until now? Does that mean you’d go out with me, if I asked?”
    She looked up, a challenge in her eyes. “Are you asking?”
    He stood up. Still holding her hand, he said very formally, “Miss Whiting, would you do me the honor of your company at dinner this evening?”
    Blushing, she laughed. “Yes, now please sit down. You‘re embarrassing me”
    They walked close together on the way back to class. Joshua’s body seemed attuned to every move she made. He was acutely aware of her warmth, every breathe she took and the beat of her heart. Tentatively he reached out and took her hand.
    She looked up and smiled.
    “How about if I pick you up at seven?”
    “Great.” She tore out a piece of notebook paper and wrote down her address.
    At the door of her class, he looked directly into her eyes; brought the hand he had been holding up and brushed her knuckles with his lips. Her eyes widened and she held her breath. He released her hand and walked away.
    When Joshua had kissed her hand, she felt a tremor all the way up her arm. When she’d seen actors do that in old movies, she’d thought it looked stupid and silly. Looking into Joshua’s eyes as his lips caressed her skin had been electrifying.
    Rachel and Lisa, two of her classmates had stopped and watched the exchange. She had several classes with Rachel, a petite brunette. Sara liked her innate honesty and quick wit. They had become good friends. Lisa was a statuesque blond and, of course, a cheerleader. Since this was the only class Sara shared with Lisa, she didn’t know her well. Both girls looked at her with wide eyes when they saw Joshua kissing her hand.
    When Joshua was out of sight, Sara pulled herself together and went into class. She tried to sit as far away from the two girls as possible so that they couldn’t ask her questions. She wanted to savor the moment all by herself. She knew she couldn’t avoid Rachel indefinitely, but preferred to talk to her without Lisa, a born gossip.
    *   *   *
    Joshua was elated. His hand and lips still tingled. She said yes! Now he had to decide where to take her and how to pick her up since he didn’t have a car. After his last class, he rushed home and called his grandfather at work. Maggie put him through immediately.
    “Joshua, what a nice surprise. Is everything all right?”
    “Everything is great. I just made a date for tonight and I was wondering if I could borrow your car.”
    Joseph paused and then said, “A date, huh? Well I was saving this for a surprise, but I guess this is a s good a time as any. I knew you would need transportation eventually, so I bought you a car. It’s an older car, but my mechanic said it’s in perfect running condition. It’s parked in the garage and Mrs. Stewart has the keys. Go out and take a look. Then call me back and let me know what you think.”
    A car! Joshua couldn’t believe it. This man was a saint. Why had his father ever left home? He rushed outside to the garage. Sitting there was a silver gray 2000 Porsche 911. It wasn’t just any car. It was the car of his dreams. Could this day get any better? He called his grandfather back, thanked him profusely, and told him how much he loved it.
    “I’m glad you like it. I’m sorry I won’t be home until late tonight, will you let Mrs. Stewart know I won‘t be home for dinner? Enjoy your evening.”
    When Joshua asked Mrs. Stewart for the keys, he mentioned that his grandfather would not be home for dinner. Then he went out and took HIS car for a spin. It ran beautifully. With the top down, he felt like James Bond. Okay Bond drove an Aston Martin and this was a Porsche, but no one could have felt more sophisticated or cool than Joshua did at that moment. He could not believe his luck, finding