Kyndall looked down at her watch. "I wonder where he's at. It's been over an hour and a half," she sighed.
"Tired of me already?" AJ teased her as he handed her the over-sized stuffed pink pig he had just won her.
"A pig?" she asked looking at him like he was crazy. Shaking her head, she juggled it along with the other stuffed animals he'd won her and the box with the mask. "Dude, this is like impossible," she sighed.
"Here," he said taking a couple of things from her. "Let me help. Want that we go put this in Howie's car?"
"Nice thought there J, but I uh…don't have keys to his car," she pointed out.
"Well," he said thinking. "We could…put them in mine."
She shrugged. "True," she smiled. "Okay." They walked out to his Expedition which happened to be parked really close to where she and Howie had parked. Kyndall turned in circles, eyeing the parked cars in confusion.
"What's the matter?" AJ asked, looking at her over the top of his truck.
"He's…his car. He's gone," she said. "That little jerk left me here, stranded."
AJ hid his grin in the sleeve of his shirt. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I just…have no way home."
"I could take ya," he offered.
Kyndall looked at him. "Do you mind?"
He shook his head and smiled. "No, why would I?" he asked as he climbed into the truck, leaning over and unlocking her door.
She shrugged as she got in. "I don't know."
As AJ started his truck, he turned to her, an idea coming to him. "Do you like seafood?" he asked suddenly.
"Umm…yeah. It's okay."
"Well, I know this awesome little seafood place down A1A a ways. Right down by the ocean," he smiled. "I'd love to take you there." He was nervous that she'd say no. She could tell by the way he wouldn't look at her, the way he was fidgeting with his steering wheel, the way his voice cracked slightly as he spoke to her.
She reached over and touched his arm lightly. "Sure. I'd love to go with you," she smiled.
"Really?" he asked, his face lighting up. Kyndall nodded. "Excellent," he exclaimed, pulling out of his parking spot and speeding down A1A towards Ponce Inlet.
They drove in silence, the radio the only noise in the truck. Kyndall was studying AJ's profile silently as he concentrated on driving. There was more traffic than usual, and he was getting annoyed with the lack of common sense amongst the tourist. She smiled softly as his brows drew together in frustration, and then relaxed when the road was clear. He would curse under his breath when someone would do something stupid, and then get smart when he could return the "favor". Pulling into the parking lot of a little building hidden among the small palms and ferns beside a long deck, AJ looked over at Kyndall, noticing for the first time in the 30 minutes it had taken them to get there, that she was looking at him. "What's the matter?" he asked smiling softly at her. "Regretting coming here?"
She shook her head slowly and smiled. "No. Just watching you."
"Oh. Probably quite entertaining," he smirked.
"You have no idea," she giggled as he got out of the truck. He walked around and opened her door, helping her out. She jumped down, landing in his arms. She could feel his heart racing as he held her close to him. Looking up, she could see the storm of emotions raging in his eyes. The storm that was raging inside her as well. AJ slowly leaned in to kiss her, but Kyndall moved away suddenly. "Well," she said straightening her shirt. "I'm hungry." AJ looked at her, feelings of rejection reflected in his eyes. He walked towards her slowly, head down. "Give me time, AJ," she whispered, hooking her arm through his. "I don't want to hurt anymore."
Walking inside, AJ was seated right away. The couple that owned the small restaurant knew him well. He had come here many times as a child with his grandparents. And the owners, around the same age as them, were more than generous in their hospitality.
Time passed quickly as AJ and Kyndall ate and talked. She learned things about him that she had never known as he told her about his life experiences before he was famous. He talked about his friends, school, his parents. He told her about his life as a Backstreet Boy, the ups, the downs. Kyndall listened attentively as he shared an intimate glimpse into his life that few people are privileged enough to see.
And he in turn listened to her when she spoke of growing up in Oklahoma. Her crazy mixed-up childhood, the many friends she'd had come and go, ex-boyfriends. She talked about meeting Catlyn, and their crazy friendship. Kyndall shared with him what she had dealt with before, during, and after moving to Florida. She talked about her feelings for the Backstreet Boy AJ. And she gave him a small glimpse into the feelings she had for the AJ that she knew now.
They had long since finished eating, and it was slowly getting darker outside. AJ glanced down at his watch. "Damn. It's 9:00," he said, shocked. "Where did the time go?"
"I'm sorry. I've kept you," she said gathering her things. AJ pulled out some money and grabbed the check.
"No. It's okay. I've had fun. I was actually going to see if you wanted to come over and watch a movie or something," he said as they walked over to where Herb and Gail, the owners were sitting.
"I…I don't know. What about…"
"Miranda is gone for the weekend. She's visiting her sister in Miami," he said handing them the check along with the money. "Keep the change," he said shaking Herb's hand. "It was excellent as usual." He leaned down and kissed Gail on the cheek. Looking at Herb he shook his head. "Man, you better watch it. One day, I'm going to come in here and steal her away from you," he winked at Gail.
She blushed and shooed him away. Looking at Kyndall she smiled. "Keep a hold on him sweetie. He's a wonderful young man. You are a lucky girl to have captured his heart."
AJ looked at Kyndall and smiled. "Yes, she is," he said.
Herb chuckled. "Modest, too."
