Chapter 55

(Lisa's POV)

The night before our double date, Valin agreed to do a few vocal exercises with me.

"First, open your mouth as wide as you can." I did as he asked, and he frowned.

"Are you sure you can't do better?" I did my best to stretch it wider, and he smiled. "Good... now stick out your tongue... close your eyes and tilt your head back."I followed his instructions, but after five seconds I stopped and said,"I'm not sure how this helps me sing better."

Valin rustled my hair and said,"It helps keep me motivated to instruct you."

Then he went over the basics, having me sing different keys. He told me to cover one ear so I could better hear when I made mistakes. If I sang too high or too low, he'd tap my thigh and correct me—sometimes hitting the note himself for me to harmonize with. I still felt embarrassed singing, and my nerves caused most of my mistakes. But after I pushed past that, I managed to sing well enough that I don't think I'll offend anyone anymore... so I'm ready for karaoke!To show his appreciation for my progress, Valin kissed and held me in a way that made me feel hot—feverish, almost. When he pulled away, I wanted more, but all intimacy after that was reduced to pecks on the lips and cuddles only... a little frustrating, if I'm honest.

Since Valin said we'd be playing mini golf, I wore comfortable shoes, but I still chose dress pants and a button-up blouse because I wanted to look special for our date. Valin had slept over but... I've never been with a man who sleeps over this often without trying anything. I'm having trouble believing that's a good sign, considering his past—but he says he likes me, and I have to trust that.

"What's on your mind?" Valin asked while pulling on his shirt for the day.

"I was thinking about how hot you are." He made a face, which I now know means he's blushing.

"... You seem fine now. So tonight—"His sentence trailed off, leaving me confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked.He smiled at me and said,"You're cute," before kissing my lips and leaving the room.

I felt sparks and had to sit down to settle myself before meeting him downstairs to put my shoes on.

"What took you so long?" he asked.I pouted and said,"None of your business."That made him laugh. He hugged me, and I quickly returned the affection, rewarded with another kiss and a gorgeous smile.

"We should go now before I make us late." He let me go, took my hand, and led me to the car. He drove, obeying all the traffic laws for my sake.

That's when we met up with Snowe and Zai.

"Snowe!" I shouted, running up to embrace her.

"Hey, Lisa," she replied with laughter in her voice.

"You look adorable! Where'd you get that dress?"

She looked down at my clothes."I'm not sure, but I should be asking you! You look like a celebrity."

I giggled at her compliment, and Valin came from behind and hugged my waist."I'm starting to get jealous," he whispered.

"Let's start golfing!" I shouted nervously. Feeling him pressed against me is not good for my heart.

I pulled away from his hug and linked arms with Snowe to go retrieve our clubs and balls from the counter. When I glanced back, Valin looked like he was discussing something with Zai.

When Snowe and I returned, Valin said,"We're going to war."

"What?" I asked, trying to keep a straight face.

"Me and you are on a team... against the losers."

"Hey!" Snowe shouted, offended.

"So, we're adding scores at the end," Valin clarified.

"Is there going to be a prize?" I asked excitedly.

Valin smiled."If we win, I'll give you whatever prize you want."

His words flustered me. Maybe it's because what I do want isn't appropriate to say out loud.

"Let's kick their asses," I declared.Snowe stuck out her tongue and said,"I'm going to go strategize with my partner. Bad luck to you."

She walked away, whispering to Zai.

"We need a team name," Valin said once we were alone.

"... Um... How about... The Hole-in-Ones?"Valin laughed.

"I was thinking more like Valisa, Lin, or Mathletes."

"I like Valisa!" I said. My own enthusiasm made me feel bashful. Valin stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.

"Let's get started then."

We lined up at the first hole. Zai got a hole-in-one, and Snowe took two tries. Valin also got a hole-in-one, which put pressure on me.It's just a game, Lisa—do your best, I told myself.

Noticing my hesitation, Valin came up behind me and placed his hands on mine, over the club.

"Do you need help?" he asked.

"That's cheating!" Snowe yelled.

"Wasn't in the rulebook!" he shouted back.

"I can do it," I mumbled.

Valin kissed my neck and I panicked, hitting the ball completely off the course.

"We're outside," I whispered, warning him.

He laughed."I know... should I not be attracted to you outside?"

That made me laugh too and eased my mood. I readied a new ball and made the shot perfectly.

We went through 18 courses. Every time Valin passed me, he'd kiss me—on the lips, cheek, neck, or shoulder. A few times, he grazed my butt while I bent down for a shot. I'm not sure if it was on purpose, but it sent my heart into overdrive and made my head go places it shouldn't.Valin had kept all his affection above the waist lately, so I had no emotional fortitude built up. I was extremely sensitive.

Thankfully, Snowe and Zai were too absorbed in each other to notice what was going on with me. Maybe it's a family thing to be openly flirtatious. Since they weren't paying attention anyway, I retaliated by feeling Valin up while he took his shots. He smiled each time and glanced at me, but somehow stayed focused.

Zai always made a hole-in-one using the club traditionally. Snowe missed a few times but held hers normally too.Valin never hit the ball straight. He always made it bounce and ricochet across the course, like he was playing pool—but it still landed in the hole. Sometimes he even hit the ball with the handle and still got a hole-in-one.

Once the game ended—

"We won!" Valin cheered, picking me up and spinning me in his arms.

"You got lucky!" Snowe retorted.

Valin set me down and made a face."You're the reason your team lost—you missed six times."

"I've never played mini golf before!" she shouted defensively.

Then Zai came up and bonked my boyfriend on the head."Don't bully Snowe."

That was my cue.

I jumped up and stepped between them with my arms outstretched."Don't bully my boyfriend just because you lost!"

Zai looked stunned—then smiled. He leaned slightly to glance at his brother and said,"You have a nice girlfriend."

Then he grabbed Snowe by the waist, pulled her in, and kissed her against a nearby column.

"Zai... people might be watching," she murmured.

"I know," he whispered back.

...Yeah, it's definitely a family trait.

I reached for Valin's hand. He looked lost in thought, so I kissed his cheek and said,"You and your brother have a lot in common."

He looked at me, confused."We look nothing alike."

"Not in looks... but in mannerisms," I clarified.

He tilted his head, brow furrowed—his classic thinking face.

"That's funny... We were just adopted into the same family. Maybe we picked up things from growing up together."

He ran his fingers through my hair and smiled. That smile sent shivers through me, so I kissed him quickly to release some of the tension building in my chest.

"I would've never guessed that about you... I want to know more. Um... when you feel like talking. But we should do it when we're alone," I added, glancing toward Snowe and her fiancé near the exit.

"...Alright. But in exchange, I want to know more about you, too," Valin said, intertwining our fingers.

After leaving mini golf, we headed to the karaoke bar.

We ordered food there, and Snowe sang first. I knew she'd sound great—she's a professional now, after all, and I've heard her before.Zai was good too. With his looks and connections, he could've been a celebrity... but I guess it's not what he wants.

Valin encouraged me to sing next, saying he should go last. So I picked an easy song I knew well and did my best, only missing a few notes.Snowe clapped for me and offered me water right away.

"Thanks, Snowe," I said.

She hugged me."I thought you said you couldn't sing. You sound fine!"

Fine is probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said about my voice. And that's enough.

"Thanks for that too," I replied with a laugh.

Then Valin got up to sing. He chose an old love song. I'd always found it moving, but when he sang it, I actually started crying. My heart quivered—I couldn't take my eyes off him.

I thought it was just me, until I noticed Snowe wiping her eyes. Even Zai looked impressed.

When Valin finished, Snowe wiped her tears quickly and he handed her the mic.

"It's your turn again," Valin said, sitting beside me.

"I... need a minute," she mumbled.

"You were amazing!" I said, holding both of his hands.

"Yeah... I like music... and I have the bad habit of being strict with myself."His reply sounded a little melancholy, so I hugged him again.

"You were amazing," I repeated.

Valin hugged me back, chuckling softly.

We all sang in rotation after that, sometimes just eating and chatting. Everyone sang three songs before we decided to split up and head home.

I waved enthusiastically to Snowe, who waved back with the same energy. Then Valin and I entered his car.

After starting the engine, he said, "I'm not completely moved in yet, but... I have a new place. Would you like to see it? Maybe help me unpack?"

"Tonight?" I asked. He nodded.

I smiled. "Yeah—show me."