My lips curled into a wide grin at this new turn of events. “Even better,” I said already thinking about how it’d be cooler once the sun set, so I’d have to snuggle up good and close against him. I didn’t want to get chilly, after all. Plus, there would be the cover of darkness.

“Great,” he said with a grin. “I should be ready by nine. You sure your parents will be okay with this?”

“Mr. Emerson, I’m 18 now. I can make my own decisions.”

“Then maybe ...