Say You Won't Let Go

A Summer Night

"I can go change in the bathroom." Lauren says, standing up but I put my hand on her shoulder.

"You don't have to." I say softly, my girlfriend looking up at me with tender eyes. "We've been dating for three months, Lo. You don't have to change in the bathroom."

Lauren gives me a soft smile. "Alright then." She steps a little closer and whispers in my ear before stepping past me. "You can feast your eyes—I don't mind."

I feel my cheeks heat up, my heart starts beating a little faster, and grab my own pajamas from my dresser. I glance over at Lauren and am meet with the sight of her bare back. Her dark brown hair skims down a few inches below her shoulders, her loose curls brushing her pale skin. She then slides a gray tank top on and I advert my gaze.

Unzipping my jeans, I change into pajamas shorts, slipping a blue t-shirt over my newly bare torso. Turning around after picking up my clothes, I notice Lauren's eyes on me. I send her a flirty wink and her face flushes.

"Will your dad still be up at nine?" Lauren asks as we leave my room, making sure to switch the lights off.

I scoff. "Yeah. He said he'd be awake until 10, remember? And then he said so make sure—"

"—there's no shenanigans until 11. Yep, I heard." Lauren's face is bright red. I laugh and kiss her cheek.

"You're so cute when you're flustered." I coo, taking my girlfriend's hand in my own. She smiles at me.

Alejandro waves when he sees us enter the living room, closing his book. "Hey, girls. What's up?"

I walk into the kitchen and Lauren sits by my father and they begin chatting. Looking through the freezer, I find the tub of ice cream that I normally snack on when school use to decide to dump as much stress as possible on my shoulders. I take the carton out and set it on the counter.

"Want some, babe?" I ask Lauren who is still laughing and conversing with my father. She looks over at me.

"Yes, please." She hums, blowing me a kiss. I smile giddily and climb up on the counter to grab down two bowls. "Be careful, Camz." She comments when she sees me climbing. I flash her a crooked smile. Scooping some ice cream into each bowl, I find myself glancing over at my girlfriend. I love that Lauren and my dad get along so well. I wish I had the chance to introduce her to my mother.

Maybe I will one day.

After putting away the frozen treat, I grab our two spoons and put one in each bowl, picking them up and bring them to Lauren. She takes hers gratefully and leans up to kiss my cheek.

"You're the best." She coos as I snuggle down next to her. Dad reaches over and pats my knee.

"Hey, sweetheart." He says to me. "How's Sofi been? She hasn't called me in a while."

"Oh," I mumble through a mouthful of ice cream. "Sarah took them on vacation to California. DisneyLand—I think."

"Oh, yeah! She told me about that." Lauren comments, sticking another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.

"She probably forgot her phone at home, Dad. Don't take it personally." I reach over to pat his shoulder and he sighs dramatically. Lauren snorts, making me grin at her.

I lay my head on my girlfriend's shoulder, finishing my bowl of ice cream. She takes both bowls to the sink and I whine in the absence of her warmth. Dad rolls eyes at how pathetic am. I stick my tongue out at him. Lauren grabs my hand and we head for the stairs.

Alejandro gasps, faking pain. "I can't believe you guys are leaving me so quickly? Ouch."

I laugh, shaking my head. "It's like I'm the parent. Will you be okay down here all by yourself, kiddo?"