Eric's POV

After I had stopped again at the coffee shop to get my morning coffee and see Amanda, I headed into the garage.

"Do you have an addiction we need to talk about?" My uncle smirks as I hand him his coffee.

"Shut up, Uncle. You get some out of it too."

"It wasn't the coffee that I was talking about."

"She is addicting. I can't stay away from her, and her working at the coffee shop is a definite plus."

"You do know that she is the sheriff's daughter."

"Yes, I do. I think I am falling for that girl."

"Are you sure? You two are from different sides of the tracks."

"Why should that matter?"
"It shouldn't, I just don't want either of you to get hurt."

"I don't even know if this is going to turn into something. We are just taking this one step at a time."

"Listen, I am not trying to stop you, I am just watching out for my nephew."

"I'm a grown man, I can look out for myself!" I say as I slam my coffee down and head back to the cars and get to work. I kept to myself working on the cars that were there. Trying to get out of my head, thinking about what my uncle had said. Who was he to say I wasn't good enough for her. Why can't I be? I am a good man, although I do have anger issues. I feel like I have them under control for the most part. I can't help that some idiot will set me off sometimes with their stupid antics. Sometimes I just want to go out and have a beer. Why do they have to think they are better than me, and start things. Of course I have to finish it and it always gets me in trouble. The day slowly clipped by. The closer to the end of the day, the happier I got. I couldn't wait to see her, the light in my darkness. I finished the last car for the day and grabbed my things to head home.

"I'm out Uncle Troy. Got a date tonight. Gotta go get ready."

"Alright, kid. Have a good time and stay safe."

"I will, and she is not like that. She is a good girl."

He just laughs and shakes his head as I grab my bag and head out. Once I am home, I head into the shower to wash the grease and grime of the day off. Once I am finished, I get out and get dressed, putting on one of my favorite t-shirts and jeans. Sliding on my boots, I grab my wallet and keys and head out to my car. I drive fifteen minutes to the coffee shop and park out front. I watch her as she closes up for the night and heads to the back to change. Not long after she is heading out to me and damn if she doesn't look good in that little sundress. She walks over and I pull her into me in a hug and kiss her lips. She smells like a candy shop and it's intoxicating. I can't get enough.

"How was your day?"

"It was good. I have learned just about all the recipes. I am actually enjoying working here and Heather is the best. We are going to hang out tomorrow."

"I'm so glad you are getting along with everyone."

"Me, too."

"So I promised you dinner and a movie. How does pizza sound?"

"Sounds amazing, as long as it doesn't involve pineapples or anchovies." She says as she scrunches her nose in disgust.

"No worries, sweetheart. Pineapples don't belong on pizza and anchovies are just gross."

"A man after my own heart." She smiled as her eyes lit up and I found myself thinking of more ways to make her smile, just to see her eyes light up. I open the door for her and she climbs in as I shut the door, and go over to my side and climb in.

"I know of a great pizza joint near the movie theater."

"Sounds good to me." I open the car door for her to get in and close it before I head to my side and get in. I pull out of the parking lot and head to the pizza parlor and park. I quickly get out and head to her side and open the door for her. I grab her hand as we head inside and I can feel a spark that travels up my arm. We head inside and sit down at a booth. The waitress comes over and takes our order. She heads back to the kitchen and we are left alone for a moment.

"You look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you, you look good too."

We sit and talk about whatever comes to mind. I'm usually not at a loss for words and could talk for hours but just being with her and I can't find words to say. Why am I so nervous around her? I feel like a teenager on his first date. I have never been like this with any woman. I could tell she was a little nervous too. She was fidgeting with her hands and I reached across the table to grab one to quiet them.

"You don't have to be nervous around me. I'm not gonna bite you, just yet."

She let out a nervous laugh and again I saw that sparkle in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I just haven't been on very many dates. Boys didn't like me in high school."

"What? No way. You are absolutely beautiful. You are an amazing woman. I can see that and I haven't known you that long."

She looks down and I can see a blush creep across her cheeks and across her shoulders. I just can't see why no other guy has seen her before. She is amazing. Maybe because her dad is the sheriff and they were scared of him. He doesn't scare me and I want to get to know her more. Soon the waitress brings out our drinks and then our pizza. We dig in and I watch her as she eats. She is so cute as she takes little bites and closes her eyes as she enjoys them.

"How is it?"

"It's amazing. I can't believe i didn't know about this place."

"It's a little hole in the wall. I love places like this. They always have the best good and not many people know about them so it's usually quiet."

"I have yet to be disappointed in your food choices."

"Well, I'll try to make sure you aren't."

We finish up our pizza and head out to the movie theater. I let her pick and she actually chooses a horror movie. I would have thought she was a chick flick kind of girl, but she fooled me again. We get our tickets and some snacks and drinks and head in. We sit towards the back and at the top. It's so much better in the back. Soon the movie starts and we are watching when a scary scene comes across and she grabs my hand and squeezes. She relaxes a little and I entwine our fingers together and she doesn't let go. I smile to myself. I want to kiss her right now, but I don't want to push it. For the rest of the movie, she held my hand, and when the scary parts came along she would hide her face in my chest. I would reach over and stroke her hair. It was nice, and I would get the occasional scent of candy. It was heavenly. The movie was over before I wanted it to be and we were headed back to my car.

"Did you enjoy the movie?"

"I did. I don't know why I always pick horror movies. They always scare the crap out of me, but I love them."

"I like them too. They don't scare me as much, but I have always liked them since I was a kid."

"Although there have been the occasional ones that are so bad that I just have to laugh."

"That is true."

We club back in the car and head back to the shop and her car. I really didn't want this night to end. After I pull up and get out, we are standing on the driver's side of her car and she leans up against it. I step closer to her so there are only a few inches between us. I lightly caress the skin of her arms and I see the goosebumps appear, and hear a small moan escape her lips.

"I don't want this night to end."

"I don't either, but I told my father I would be home and he would worry if I didn't come home when I said I would."

"I guess I should let you go." My hands travel to her cheeks and I rub my thumb along her bottom lip and I see she is staring at mine. I lean in and place my lips against her as i run my tongue along her bottom lip and she sucks in a breath and I take that chance and slide my tongue over hers, and after a few seconds I feel her tongue start to dance with mine and her body softens and leans into mine as my hands slide down her arms, and she lifts them to slide around my neck and her hands run through my hair. My hands slide around her back as I pull her into me, and I slowly grab her ass cheeks and I hear a gasp. I quickly stop and look at her.

"I'm sorry, I got a little carried away." I say as I place our foreheads together.

"It's alright, I just never had nay one kiss me like that."

"Another first, huh?"

"Yeah, and I still don't understand why you want to be with me. You could have your pick of any women who are more experienced than me."

I run a finger under her chin pulling it up so she has to look at me.

"There is no one I want more than to be here with you. You are beautiful, sweet and kind. I should be wondering why you want to be with me. The one who always gets in trouble, and can't control his temper sometimes. Although being with you seems to be a light to my darkness." I wipe away a tear that has escaped an eye and she just smiles at me. I kiss her lips one last time. "You better get home before your dad sends out the calvary."

"I know. He would too." She let out a soft giggle as she hugged me tight and climbed into her jeep.

"Text me when you get home, so I know you made it safe."

"I will. You be safe going home too."

I watch her pull out of the parking lot and head home before I climb in my car and drive home. Once I pull into my driveway and park, I turn off the ignition and head inside the house. Heading into my bedroom after I lock up. I undress and climb into bed, I hear my phone ping and look to see a text from Amanda.

Text- I made it home. Thanks for a wonderful evening. Talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.

Text- Glad you got home safe. Look forward to it. Sweet dreams to you too, hope I am a part of them.

I plug my phone in and lay back on my pillows thinking about the words my uncle said earlier today. Am I good enough for her? Does she think she is too good for me? I have to push these thoughts away. I don't want to have these thoughts. Why does my uncle always have to ruin things for me.

NEW CHARACTER INTRODUCTION

NAME: Tony Stoltz
Uncle to Eric
Owns garage where Eric works