Saving Rain

by Kelsey Kingsley

Three days later, that Friday, Noah stayed at his grandparents’ house, and I walked the thirteen steps it took to get from my stoop to Ray’s porch. I held in my hand a bouquet of sunflowers I’d bought from the florist in town and knocked on her door. When she answered, wearing the prettiest white dress I had ever seen, I was glad I’d decided at the last minute to wear the shirt and pants I’d worn on Christmas with Harry’s family. “Look at you,” she said softly, leaning against the door and smiling as she let her eyes wander from the top of my head all the way down to my feet. “I could, but I think I’d rather look at you instead.” I held out the flowers. “These are for you.” Her smile grew as she accepted them. “This might be your first date, but you’re the first man to bring me flowers.” I chuffed and rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “Oh, come on.” She left the doorway to head into the kitchen, and I followed, closing the door behind me. “I’m serious,” she said, standing on her toes and stretching her arm to try and reach for a dusty vase on the top of her refrigerator. I handed it to her before she could pull a muscle. “Show-off.” Her eyes teased while that smile never left her face.