Nick drove towards the beach. He glanced at Sarah every chance he got. He took in her face features and body. He was trying to read her face as she stared out the window. He knew something was on her mind, he just didn't know what.
"What are you thinking about?" Nick asked.
"Just the fact if we become an item my parents will forbid it." Sarah said.
"Don't think about it right now, Sarah. We just met." Nick said.
"I know. I can't help it. My parents have done that before." Sarah said.
Nick grabbed her hand as a reassurance that everything would work out.
"If we have problems together we'll handle them."
Sarah smiled. "Thanks."
He pulled into the parking lot and shut off the engine. They got out and headed towards the water. Sarah took her shoes off and walked through the water and sand.
"So what do you do, Sarah?" Nick asked.
"I work for a local diner." Sarah said. "I've been there since I was 18-years-old. I got the job right out of high school."
"Sounds interesting." Nick said. "I can tell your parents didn't like me."
"That's normal for them. They never liked anyone I dated, but I really don't care." she said. "It's my life. Not theirs."
Sarah shivered from the cold wind that was blowing in off the water. Nick wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"I would like to stay in your life whether it is a friend or more than a friend." he said.
"I would like that." she said.
By the time they got through talking, they both knew it was real late. They headed back towards the car.
"I can imagine what it's going to be like when I get home." Sarah said. "I never stay out this late."
"Can I see you tomorrw?" Nick asked.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah." Nick said bringing her closer to him.
"Sure. The diner is called Mario's. You can meet me there." she said. "I work most of the day, but we can have lunch together."
"Great." he said cupping her face and planted a soft kiss on her lips.
Sarah deepened it. The two broke apart breathless. 'Wow!' she thought. The two got into the car and Nick took her home.
Nick pulled into the driveway and parked. "So what time is your lunch break?"
"One." she said. "Right after the rush hour lunch."
"Okay. See you at one then." he said.
Sarah unbuckled her seatbelt and moved over closer to him. "I can't wait."
They kissed again and she got out.
"See you tomorrow." she said.
"Bye." Nick said backing up.
Sarah watched him until he was out of sight. She then walked into the house as a light switch was turned on. She saw her father Mitch standing there.
"Where were you?" he asked.
"Out with Nick. He took me to the beach and we talked." Sarah explained. "We lost track of time."
"You are not to see that boy ever again." Mitch said.
"You can't do that!" Sarah shrieked.
"I'm your father and this is my house! You will obey me!" Mitch yelled back.
"Nick is a good, decent guy! I am not going to stop seeing him!" she yelled.
"If I catch you with him again, you will no longer be welcomed in this house!" Mitch said angrily.
"Mitch!" Linda shrieked.
Sarah didn't say anything. She had always been daddy's little girl, but she was getting sick and tired of his rules.
"If you want it that way, fine. I will just stay with friends since I'm such a problem for you." Sarah said.
"You will obey the rules." Mitch said.
"Wake up, dad! I'm not your little girl anymore! You can't choose who I want to spend the rest of my life with! That's my decision." Sarah said angrily and with that went upstairs slamming her bedroom door behind her.
She cried softly in bed wishing already that Nick was with her. Then she thought about it. 'The only way I will see him is through Kevin.' she thought as she fell asleep.
*THE NEXT AFTERNOON*
Sarah was waiting on tables as she saw Nick walk into the diner. He smiled and waved. Her eyes lit up for the first time that day. When she was through putting in an order, she walked around the counter and hugged him pecking his lips with a kiss.
"I'm so glad to see you." Sarah said hugging him again.
"Bad night?" Nick asked.
"You have no idea." she said. "My break is in ten minutes. You want anything to drink?"
"Coke." Nick said.
She fixed his drink and placed it in front of him as he sat down at the counter. She took food to her table and came back.
"So what happened?" he asked as she was waiting on customers at the cash register.
"My father." Sarah said plainly.
"So what you said earlier in the night happened?" Nick asked.
"Yep. And he said if he caught me with you that I wouldn't be allowed back in the house. So I thought fine." she said.
"Where are you going to go?" he asked.
"I can go to my friend Jenna's place or Michelle's." she said. "If I necessarily have too."
"So you got any bright ideas on how we are going to see each other?" Nick asked.
"Kevin." she said ringing up a customer. "Thank you. Come again."
"What's Kevin going to do?" Nick asked.
"Take your place in my parents eyes. He will talk to them and you can wait in the car. That type of thing." she said. "Then they won't be suspicious."
"Smart." he said.
"Ray, I'm taking my lunch break." Sarah said.
"Okay." Ray said. "Here's your food."
Ray handed her two bags. She made herself a drink and they walked over to a booth and sat down.
"I hope you like cheeseburger and fries." she said.
"My favorite." he said taking his food. "I'll talk to Kevin and see if he'll help us."
"I shouldn't have to sneak around. This is stupid." she said.
"You gotta do what you gotta do." he said.
"But aren't we moving to fast?" she asked.
Nick grabbed her hands. "Would you stop? We will take it as slow as you want too, okay?"
Sarah looked at him. "Okay."
She dropped the subject and they continued to eat and talk. By two o'clock, she was back at work. Nick paid for his food and leaned across the counter.
"I'll call your cell to let you know what Kevin said." he said.
"Okay." she said.
He pecked her lips with a kiss and left the diner.
"You are one lucky chick." Michelle, the other waitress said.
"Yep." she said pocketing the money instead of putting in the cash register because she had paid for it earlier.
Sarah walked into the house as her cell phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hey, it's Nick." he said.
"What'd he say?" she asked.
"He'd do it." he said.
Sarah shrieked with happiness. "Yes. Tell him thank you and I owe him."
"I will." Nick said. "So see you at seven."
"Okay." she said heading up the stairs. "See you then."
The two hung up with each other. Sarah shrieked a little louder this time and walked into her room. Jennifer was right behind.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"A lot." Sarah said happily going to her closet.
"You met someone?" Jen asked.
"Yep." Sarah said picking out a clean outfit. "He is the most wonderful man ever."
"What's his name?" Jen asked.
"Nick." Sarah said. "Maybe you can meet him some time."
"Why not tonight?" she asked.
"Well, mom and dad don't approve of him, so you'll have to meet him away from here." Sarah said grabbing clean towels.
"Then why are you getting ready to go out if they disapprove?" Jen asked.
"You'll see." Sarah said happily walking into the bathroom for a shower.
Sarah cleaned up and changed her clothes. She felt refreshed and headed downstairs hearing someone knock at the door. She walked over and answered it seeing Kevin standing there.
"Hi Kevin." she said.
"Hey." Kevin said walking by. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah." Sarah said. "Mom, dad, I'm leaving."
Mitch and Linda walked into the room seeing Kevin standing there.
"Hi Kevin." Linda said.
"Hi." he said shaking Mitch's hand.
"So you kids going out tonight?" Linda asked.
"Yeah. I'll have her home by one." Kevin said.
Mitch nodded his head. "You kids have fun."
Jennifer saw the man standing there.
"Jen this is Kevin." Sarah said. "Kevin this is my sister, Jennifer."
"Nice to meet you." Kevin said shaking her hand.
"You too." Jen said.
She looked at Sarah confused. Sarah hugged her sister.
"I will explain later." she whispered.
Jennifer nodded and Sarah & Kevin headed out.
"You gusy have fun." Linda said closing the door.
"We will." Sarah called back.
Kevin opened the car door for her and she got in. He then got into the driver's seat and took off down the road. Nick appeared in the back seat.
"Well?" Nick asked.
"They bought it." she said. "Thanks Kevin."
Sarah climbed into the backseat and kissed Nick. This was perfect. As long as Kevin would help them, she could see Nick any time she wanted.
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CHAPTER 3