Summer Rain

Chapter 10

My mouth hung open as I stared at Nathan, suddenly losing the ability to speak much less to utter a coherent sentence. Cousin? Tasha's his cousin? That didn't even make any sense! Well, it did, actually but I don't know, I was still feeling too stunned to absorb the thought.

Nathan chuckled and put a finger under my chin, closing it. I averted my gaze, feeling embarrassed. I must have looked like a total idiot. Still, it broke me out of my daze, “Cousin?” I squeaked.

“Yes, cousin.” He smiled at me.

“How?” I asked stupidly.

Nathan didn't mind. “My dad and her mom are siblings.”

I closed my eyes and mentally kicked myself cousin. Cousin! He was her cousin! That will teach me to jump into conclusions next time. All that emo phase for nothing.

Idiot.

Idiot.

Idiot.

“Kara?” Nathan's voice pulled me away from my mental rant. I opened my eyes and saw that his eyes were clouded with worry.

I gave him a dry smile, “I'm fine. Just—I feel like such an idiot.” I shook my head and covered my face with my palms. “I can't believe you're cousins.” I said, but my words were muffled by my palms so it sounded like I was just wailing nonsense.

Nathan chuckled, “Kara.” He pulled my hands away from my face, and held them in his. “You're not an idiot. Honestly, I think it's my fault. I should have made my move sooner. It's just that-- everytime I tried, I get all tongue-tied and I forget what I'm supposed to say.” He looked away as a faint blush crept up his cheeks.

I can't help smiling. Aww! He's embarrassed! How cute!

“Really?” I asked, my grin intact.

He smiled back and squeezed my hands. “Really. Now, can we start over?”

I nodded hapilly.

He took a deep breath and as soon as those gorgeous, light brown eyes met mine, I forgot how to breathe. “Kara Lewis, will you go out on a date with me?”

I sighed, trying not to smile, but failing miserably. “I don't know. I'll have to think about it.”

Nathan groaned.

I laughed, “Ok. I'm done thinking.”

“And?” Nathan played along, his eyes lighting up.

“Ok.” I smiled shyly.

He beamed at me and let go of my hands, much to my disappointment, but then he stepped in beside me and put his hand on my elbow. And that's when I realized, he was doing this for me because I might be uncomfortable immediately holding hands with him. My heart sunk, in a good way. He's such a sweetheart. Though I really didn't mind some hand holding.

Maddy and Chloe's eyes were literally dancing when they saw me with Nathan. I grinned at them as I took my seat cross them, beside Uncle Ben while Nathan sat in between Chloe and Tasha. Introductions were made, then we settled down to eat. It was then that I realized that Jason wasn't around, so I asked the others about it. Tessa replied, saying Jason had texted her that something came up and had to leave.

I didn't know why but a funny feeling in my stomach made me think his leaving had something to do with me.

Thankfully, I didn't get to dwell on that hunch any longer because as soon as lunch finished, the activities started. We went fishing, which I failed miserably. While everyone managed to catch something, I only got a tin can. Everyone laughed at me and I scowled at them, feeling embarrassed