Joe led me to his car with his hand on my back. I tried to slow down my heart rate, but the traitor didn't want to cooperate. He opened the car door, allowing me to get in, and before the door was even closed, he raced to the driver's side. I giggled at his eagerness and that got his attention.

"What's so funny Sunshine?" He smiled.

I blushed but had to ask, "Why do you call me that?"

His shoulders tensed; obviously I caught him off guard. "I'll only answer your question if you promise to answer one of mine."

After I complied he told me, "Well the sunshine is that first thing I see every morning. So earlier today, when you were the first thing I saw, you were my Sunshine."

I was in awe. I'm sure I looked like a complete fool with my eyes wide and my mouth open, but that had to be one of the most adorable things I'd ever heard.

"Your turn. How old are you?" I gaped in disbelief.

"Really Joe? I ask you a question that you answered so intimately and you ask me how old I am?" He nodded his head like if it made so much sense.

I rolled my eyes. "Well I turn 19..... Tomorrow" I whispered the last part because I didn't want him to feel obligated to do anything special. He just looked thoughtful and nodded. "If it makes you feel any better, I just turned 20 in August." And I couldn't help but laugh.

The conversation flowed without much effort. I could talk to Joe about as easily as I could talk to some of my closest friends. It wasn't until the car stopped that I realized we had arrived.

To say that the restaurant was fancy was putting it lightly. I was amazed at the elegance and couldn't help but wonder how much this was gonna cost.

"Joe, this place looks really expensive. We don't have to eat here; I'm alright with something else." Before I could protest more, he grabbed my hand and escorted me inside. "It's alright Lauren, I've got it."

"Reservation under Jonas." The maitre d' led us through the tables all the way to the back. It looked cozy and private.

"And what would you like to drink?"

Joe gave me a questioning look. "I'll have and iced tea."

"Make that two." And the waiter left us menus as he went to get our drinks. I could feel Joe's gaze as I was flipping through the courses, and I peeked at him through my lashes. When I finally couldn't take it anymore I looked up.

"What are you staring at?"

He grinned, "Oh, just the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on." I couldn't help but blush, so to avoid him seeing it, I ducked my head down.

His fingers stopped me as he whispered, "You're so beautiful." I'm not sure how long we were sitting there staring into each other's eyes, but the waiter showed up with our tea and took our orders.

By the end of dinner, I'd learned that Joe was one out of four boys in his family. His older brother was named Kevin, and his two younger brothers were Nick and Frankie. He aspired to be in the music business. He could also play guitar and sing, which I made him promise to do for me one of these days. There was a sparkle in his eyes as he promised.

After paying the bill, Joe asked me, "I want to show you this place; I hope you don't mind staying out a little later."

I smiled and in return said, "Well my parents are out of town this weekend, so technically I don't have a curfew." and I winked.

He chuckled, "Well if I didn't know any better Sunshine, I'd say you were trying to seduce me."

"Maybe, maybe not. Guess you'll see at the end of the night." and we both laughed. It was odd the amount of flirting I was doing. This wasn't normally like me, but then again, I did a lot of things I wouldn't normally do around Joe.

We got into the car and Joe drove to a lake that I had recognized, but never been to. What I didn't expect was for Joe to drive through the extreme terrain to go all the way to the opposite side of the lake.

He pulled me close, so I would avoid tripping over anything and set a blanket down on the grass in an open space. "Wait just a minute" He said as he dashed back to his car to get something out of his trunk.

The lake was gorgeous. The way the moon shined and reflected off of the water was something I'd only seen in movies. I was so caught up in the atmosphere that I didn't hear Joe sit next to me. I only realized he was there when I heard the strumming of his guitar.

You, you like driving on a Sunday
you, you like taking off on Monday
you, you're like a dream, a dream come true

His voice was amazing. I couldn't believe he was actually serenading me.

I, I'm just a face you never notice
now I'm just trying to be honest
with myself, with you, with the world

You might think that I'm a fool
for falling over you
but tell me what I can do to prove to you
that it's not so hard to do
give love a try, one more time
'cause you know that I'm on your side
give love a try, one more time

In your eyes, when I saw them for the first time,
and that I was gonna love you for a long time
with a love so real, so right

How did it play out like a movie,
now every time its beat can move me,
and I can't get your smile off my mind...

'cause you might think that I'm a fool
for falling over you
and tell me what I can do to prove to you
that it's not so hard to do
give love a try, one more time
'cause you know that I'm on your side
give love a try, one more time
one more time

With the ending note he held my gaze and smiled. It took all I had not to cry. Then he surprised me.

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Dear Sunshine.
Happy Birthday to you.

And sure enough, glancing at my watch it was 12:01.