him further down Main. They had a half hour before the show started, so Peter parked and they wandered along the river.
“So how did you convince your parents to let you come?” She looped her arm around his.
“I held them at gun point,” he said with a straight face.
“No realy?” She poked him in the arm.
“It wasn’t hard at al . . . considering it’s my eighteenth birthday.”
Libby stopped. “It’s your birthday? When?” She faced him and blocked his path.
“Today.”
“You jerk, you didn’t tel me.” She grabbed the front of his leather jacket and tried to give him a good shake; he laughed at her.
“What was I supposed to say? It’s my birthday, so you have to be realy nice to me and bake me a cake?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what you were supposed to say,” she brooded. “I would have gotten you a present.” How, she didn’t know. It would have been worth cleaning the school lunch room again.
“Spending time with you is al the present I need.” He put his arm around her and puled her close.
His words blew her away. Today was his special day and he came al this way to celebrate with her. “Wel you need a birthday present. Eighteen is a big deal. When I turn eighteen, the world is going to know.”
“My life is filed with over the top, I wanted something meaningful.”
Libby gazed into his gorgeous eyes then reached and brought his face down to her. She kissed him sweetly on the mouth. It felt like her birthday today, not his. She reached behind her neck and unhooked her necklace.
“I know this isn’t much, but it’s one of my favorite things. If it isn’t too dorky or weird, I’d like you to have it.” She held the pendant out for him to see. It was one of her most prized possessions.
He touched the onyx carving, strung on a leather string, his eyes connected with hers. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she stated. “It’s an ancient symbol. It represents trust.”
“It’s awesome. Very rock and rol.” He rubbed his thumb over the smooth stone.
“You think?” Libby nibbled at her lip. She wanted him to love it as much as she did.
“Yeah.” He touched the tip of her nose with his. “Where’d you get it?”
“My mom gave it to me after a trip she and my dad took.” She liked how the leather cord lay against Peter’s skin.
Peter sighed, his tone serious. “Oh Libby, are you sure?” His eyes searched hers. “It’s too important.”
“If you don’t want it, that’s okay, but if you do, I’d love for you to have it. I don’t think it’s very girlie, I think it was actualy meant for a guy, but Mom and I thought it was cool.”
“Yes, I want it.” He closed his hand over hers. “And it isn’t girlie at al. I wondered why you always wore it.” Libby squeezed his hand, glad to share this connection. It solidified everything in her heart and proved Peter’s goodness. Her mom would have liked him a lot.
“Help me.” Peter leaned close.
She placed the thin leather cord around his neck and attached the clasp, then stood back. Satisfied, she nodded. “I like it.” Her neck felt bare without it, but on Peter the pendant looked perfect, as if created for him alone.
Peter touched the carving against his skin. “Me too.” He leaned down and kissed her, sending little thrils through her body.
They left the river behind and meandered down Main Street, his arm slung over her shoulder, and her head rested against him.
“The town is so quiet. Where is everybody on a Friday night?”
“At the footbal game. The town practicaly shuts down for Friday night footbal.”
“Would you rather go to the game?”
“Gosh no, and hang around those idiots? No way. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting recognized. Everyone under the age of forty is at the game.”
“What makes them idiots?”
“They’ve just always treated me horrible. I wasn’t born and raised here, so that made me an immediate outsider. And my aunt is a total whack job, so that doesn’t help. They know about my family.” She stopped talking for a minute. Peter looked down at her, his face sincere. “They don’t know the details, just that Mom died and Dad left me here.”
Talking about her family hurt. She missed them so much. Her throat tightened.
“Hey, you’re not alone any more. Okay?” He stopped, his eyes focused on hers.
“Okay.” They began walking again. Peter put his around her and held her close.
“Anyway,