Chapter One – Summer Crush

In chapter one

You were my summer crush

Chilled at the beach from dawn till dusk

Under my umbrella

"Melissa! Over here!"

Melissa shaded her eyes against the setting sun, scanning the crowd for the one person that mattered. Finally she saw Jason down by the water, waving his arms wildly above the heads of everyone else on the beach. Laughing, Melissa waved back and began to make her way down to where he was. There were more people than usual on the beach, waiting eagerly for the sun to set, darkness to fall, and the fireworks to begin. The smell of hot dogs roasting over fires made Melissa's stomach growl.

Jason was suddenly standing right in front of her, holding out his hands to take some things from her. "We got a great spot right by the water. We've been here all afternoon."

"I would have been here earlier, but I had to wait for the plumber to come." Melissa willingly handed over some of her load.

"I'm just glad you're here now." Jason shot her a crooked smile, making her heart flutter. "We can put your umbrella here." He set up the purple umbrella at just the right angle to shade them from the sun, right over a blanket, onto which he sank. "Come on, just throw that stuff anywhere," he said to Melissa, taking her free hand and tugging her down next to him.

Melissa leaned into Jason's side. "I'm starving," she sighed, sniffing the smell of hot dogs appreciatively.

"We'll eat soon. And as soon as it gets dark, the fireworks start." Jason pointed out the three different places that would be shooting off fireworks on the coast so that Melissa would know where to watch. His excitement was audible in his voice, and it was contagious. Melissa felt her own excitement growing as she waited impatiently for the celebration to start. Apparently a love of fireworks was just one of the many things she and Jason had in common.

The two of them had been constant companions every day that summer. Melissa was in Florida house- and pet-sitting for her aunt over the summer, and Jason was visiting his own aunt's family with his brothers. They had met on the beach a little over a month ago when Jason's younger cousins had accidentally kicked a soccer ball right into Melissa's head. They had met on the beach almost every day since then, sharing Melissa's umbrella and fun times together. Neither of them wanted the summer to end, because then Melissa would go back to Virginia and Jason to Texas. But neither of them was thinking about it right now, determined to live in the moment and enjoy what time they had.

Finally it was dark. The umbrella was no longer needed, but Melissa and Jason left it up for it offered some semblance of privacy from the rest of the people on the beach. His brothers and cousins were playing in the water. Melissa was leaning against Jason again, his arm around her shoulders, and they were talking quietly. Suddenly, there was a loud bang. She and Jason both sat up straight and looked in the direction from where it had come, seeing the remnants of a bright blue firework falling glittering to the earth.

A cheer erupted from the beach, and Jason helped Melissa to her feet so they could see better. Melissa watched the fireworks in excitement, but she was more focused on Jason's arm around her waist. He was gently rubbing her side with his thumb, distracting her. As the fireworks show went on, she laid her head on his shoulder, just taking in the moment.

"What do you think?" Jason asked, his whisper tickling Melissa's neck.

"I think it's amazing," Melissa replied with a smile. "This is the best fireworks show I've ever seen."

"Even better than Disney's?" Jason sounded skeptical.

Melissa remembered how much she and her visiting friends had loved the Disney fireworks display when they had gone. It had been pretty incredible. But there was one thing that the Disney fireworks display had not included, and that was Jason holding her close to his side. Melissa smiled wider and answered emphatically. "Yes. Even better than Disney."

"Wow. I've seen the Disney one, and I'm not sure it was better than this."

"Well…" Melissa's heart beat faster. She tried to decide whether or not to say what was on her mind. "Maybe we should go to Disney together."

"That would be fun."

Melissa bit her bottom lip. He still wasn't getting it. "Then I would have to say that Disney is better than this."

Jason didn't immediately respond, and Melissa wished she hadn't said anything. She didn't know what he was thinking now, but she was sure it would have been easier if she had just kept her thoughts to herself. But then she felt Jason's other arm slide around her waist. She held her breath when he bent his head down and gently pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Happy Independence Day," he whispered.