Chapter 18 Letty and Dom sitting in a tree…

Letty woke the next morning and readied herself for work. She knew Dom would be in early today and she wouldn't have much time before the guys showed up. She backed out of her driveway and raced to the garage, hoping she'd beat the boys. The only car parked was Dom's which meant he was alone or they carpooled. She swung her door opened and hoped for the first option. Dom was in his coveralls, leaning over an engine as Letty slipped by him.

"What are you doing tonight Dom?" she asked hanging her jacket in her locker.

"Got rainy surf in mind?" he responded grabbing a wrench.

"No."

"Then what?"

"I thought I'd take you out for dinner, to repay you for the car."

"How did you figure it out?" he asked glancing in her direction.

"You're no rocket scientist and who else would," she said as she approached him.

"You're asking me out?"

"No, I'm asking you to ask Vince out for me."

"Sounds like a plan. Tonight…"

"8 and don't keep me waiting, put your face on before I get there," she said as he caressing her cheek.

"Good morning sunshine," Vince declared as he stomped into the room followed by Leon and Jesse.

"Vince, I need your help on the Nissan," Letty interrupted the bonding males.

"Be there in a minute, Sweetheart," Vince cooed.

"How about you help me now, before I drag you over here."

"Calm down, I'm coming. Little lady can't do nothing without a big man to help."

"Tell me when you find a big man."

"Ha ha ha," he chuckled as he joined her.

"Hey, Vince, what's that restaurant called you were talking about?"

"The Cha Cha Cha?"

"Yeah, they take reservations?"

"Sure, I guess. I don't really stay through dinner."

"Aww, I'm sorry. Girls leave you even before the main course. Man no wonder you got to get them drunk."

"Why you asking so many questions about Cha Cha Cha, you act as if you've got someone to go with."

"At least someone would want to go with me and stay through dessert."

"Letty?" Mia called as she entered the shop.

"Yeah, Mia, what do you need?"

"Can you help me with the order forms? I can't read this chicken scratch this boys call handwriting."

"Yeah, I'm sure Vince can handle the Nissan by himself, since he's a big boy and all," she replied crossing the room to the front desk.

"I think Jesse is the worst, I don't know how you can read any of it."

"I'm use to it, that's all. That's how they write everything down."

"It how you figured out Dom gave you the car."

"That too."

"He ask you out yet?"

"No, I asked him."

"You asked Dominic Toretto out? When are you going out?"

"Tonight."

"Where?"

"Cha Cha Cha."

"That restaurant Vince keeps trying to push on everyone?"

"Yeah, that's the one, couldn't think of anything else."

"I should help you get ready."

"I think you should help Dom get ready."

"I think I'll be at your house at 6."

Letty flinched as the steam from the curling iron closed in on her face. She was not enjoying Mia's beauty treatments that had her trapped in a chair for an hour. The last curl joined the rest lying against her back. Mia strolled around Letty's sitting form, examining her handy work. A red silk top, paired with a pair of black jeans hung against the bedroom door. Mia, bobby pins secure between her lips, returned to Letty's locks, pinning them up. She left a few to frame Letty's face and finally put her hands to rest.

"You are a masterpiece," Mia declared as she packed up her supplies.

"Good you're done," Letty sighed standing to review her work. She grabbed her clothes off the door and entered the bathroom to change. She filled her lungs with air before examining her face. Long ringlets gently framed her face; Mia had done little to her facial features besides a touch of lip gloss. She dressed in the jeans and silk top Mia had spent half an hour picking out. She stepped out of the bathroom to a flashing bulb. "What the h—"

"You never know, I may become a beautician. I might need an example of my abilities."

"You could have warned me. Come on I'll give you a ride home, I've got to pick up Dom anyways."

"Thought Dom was picking you up."

"No."

"Let's go, I heard Vince was helping Dom get ready. If I get there soon enough I'll have time to undo what Vince has done."

Letty and Mia walked into the Toretto home; Mia ascended the stairs to retrieve her brother from his room. Letty joined Vince in the kitchen as he scoffed down his dinner.

"Attractive," Letty snickered hopping onto the counter.

"I could say the same. Cleaned up for Dom," Vince mumbled.

"God Vince! Didn't anyone teach you manners? Don't talk with your mouth full!"

"Just ignore him, his mom dropped him on his head too many times," Dom replied drawing Letty's attention. He wore a white dress shirt and khaki dickies, an obvious Mia selection.

"I can ignore the voice, but it's the smell that gets to me man," she joked sliding from the counter.

"Ready?"

"Let's go."

They were seated at a small table in a deserted portion of the restaurant. The waitress placed a menu before each of them. Letty tucked a curl behind her ear while examining the offerings as Dom did the same. She was beginning to wonder if she had made a mistake asking Dom out.

"I'm guessing Mia got to you," Dom stated, peering over his menu.

"Yeah, she insisted."

"You look great Let."

"Thanks. I'm guessing Mia got to you too. Your clothes lack their usual wrinkles."

"Yeah. She wanted her big brother to make a big impression, I guess."

"You always make a big impression."

The waitress returned with two glasses of water and to take their orders. She seemed intent on catching Dom's attention and dragging him away from Letty. Dom was his usual charming self, not wanting to insult the woman. Letty felt as if she were a painting on the wall, beautiful to look at but easy to forget about. The waitress left, her hips swaying.

"You're real popular," Letty commented sipping her water.

"Let's get out of here," Dom replied tossing a few twenties on the table and grabbing Letty's hand.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see," he replied extracting her keys from her pocket.

The car came to a halt in the beach parking lot, Dom walked around to open Letty's door. Letty tossed her shoes in the backseat as she took Dom's hand. They climb down the rocks to the beach where they jogged to the water's edge.

"What are we doing?" Letty asked as she stepped into the sallow waves.

"I didn't think you were enjoying yourself, I know I wasn't. Next time, don't ask Vince's advice," Dom replied before splashing her.

"Hey!" she shouted as she flung water his way.

Dom lifted Letty onto his shoulders, spinning her around and threatening to toss her into the waves. They joked, throwing sand and handfuls of water at each other. Their clothes were soaked, clinging to their bodies as they ran away from each other. Up and down the beach they went, their feet sinking into the cool wet sand as the waves licked their toes. Their toes were icicles as they sat Indian style next to each other, building a sand castle. Dom smeared wet sand on Letty's nose as she dropped some down his shirt.

"I think I should get you home before Mia wonders what I've done to you," Letty said leaping to her feet.

"You can do whatever you want to me," Dom teased, pulling her close.

"But the question is do I want to do anything to you," she whispered, her lips inches from his. She rested her hand in his and yanked him to the car.

The drive was filled with conversations about the garage and work to be done the next day. They took cheap shots at Vince and Leon. Letty parked her car outside of Dom's house. She walked him to the door, as was customary, and they paused at the front door. They smiled as the porch light flickered to life and the curtain in the window swayed.

"Guess they're waiting up for you," Letty said, running her hand through her hair.

"Vince can be such a jackass. Really knows how to ruin a moment," Dom replied, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Good night Dom, see you tomorrow morning."

"Yeah, good night," he shrugged, disappointment painting his features as he watched her back retreat. She turned around, grabbed his collar as kissed him. His arms snaked her waist, crushing her against him. He reached for the door knob behind him, not waiting to break the kiss.

"Didn't you mother tell you to always keep them wanting more?" she whispered as she pulled away. Dom's mouth fell open as she retreated to her car and drove away. It was the first time Dom had been left to spend the night alone after a date.