Chapter 55

(Lisa's POV)

The night before our double date Valin agreed to do a little 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 hold my mouth open wider and he smiled, "Good... now stick out your tongue... close your eyes and tilt your head back" I followed his instructions but after 5 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. Then he instructed me to cover one of my ears so I could hear it clearly when I made mistakes. If I sang too high or too low he'd hit my thigh and correct me. Hitting the note himself sometimes, as a demonstration or so I would harmonize with him. I still felt embarrassed singing, and my nerves caused most of my mistakes but after I got past that I managed to sing well enough that I don't think my badness would be offensive anymore... so I'm ready for Karaoke! To show his appreciation for my progress, Valin held and kissed me, in a way that left me feeling so hot it was almost as if I was feverish. And when he pulled away I wanted more but, all intimacy after that was reduced to pecks on the lips or cuddles only... a little frustrating, if I'm honest.

Because Valin said we'd be playing Mini golf, I wore comfortable shoes, but I still wore dress pants and a button-up blouse, since I wanted to be dressed special for our date. Valin had slept over but... I've never been with a man who would sleep over so often without trying anything. I'm having trouble believing that's a good sign when I consider his past, but he says 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 know by now means he's blushing.

"... You seem fine now. So tonight." His statement was incomplete, so I'm confused.

"What do you mean?" I inquired and he smiled at me saying,

"You're cute." Just before kissing my lips and leaving the room. I felt sparks and sat down to settle myself before meeting him downstairs, to put my shoes on. "What took you so long?" He asked and I pouted saying,

"None of your business." My retort made him laugh. Then he hugged me, and I quickly returned the affection, only to be rewarded with a kiss accompanied by a gorgeous smile.

"We should go now before I make us late." Valin let me go and held my hand leading me to the car. He drove us there, obeying the traffic laws for my sake. That's when we met up with Snowe and Zai,

"Snowe!" I shouted running up to and embracing 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 then Valin came from behind and hugged my waist.

"I'm starting to get jealous." He whispered.

"Let's start golfing!" I shouted out of nervousness. Feeling him pressed against me is not good for my heart. I then pulled from his hug and hooked arms with Snowe to go retrieve our clubs and balls from the counter. When I glanced back at Valin it looked like he was discussing something with Zai. When Snowe and I returned Valin said,

"We're going to war." 

"What?" I asked, doing my best to keep a straight face, so I wouldn't break out laughing.

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

"Hey!" Snowe shouted feeling offended.

"So, we're adding the scores together at the end." He explained further. I started getting excited,

"Is there going to be a prize?" My question made Valin smile,

"If we win, I'll give you whatever prize you want." For some reason, his statement flustered me. Maybe it's because what I want might not be appropriate enough to say out loud.

"Let's kick their asses." I declared and Snowe poked her tongue at me and then said,

"I'm going to go and strategize with my partner. Bad luck to you," Before walking away and whispering to Zai,

"We need a team name," Valin stated as soon as we were alone.

"...Um How about... The Hole in Ones?" Valin Laughed at my suggestion. 

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

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

"Let's get started then." We lined up together at the first hole, Zai got a hole-in-one, while it took Snowe 2 tries. Valin also got a hole-in-one which put a lot of pressure on me. It's just a game, Lisa do your best, I told myself while preparing to hit the ball, then, maybe noticing my hesitation Valin came up behind me and placed his hands on top of mine on 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 as a warning, He laughed and said,

"I know... should I not be attracted to you outside?" Making me laugh too which eased my mood so I readied a new ball and this time I made the shot perfectly. We went through 18 courses and each time Valin passed me he'd kiss me, on the lips, cheek, neck, or shoulder. A few times he grazed his hand across my butt while I was bending over for a shot and I'm not sure if it was on purpose but it sent my heart into overdrive and put my head in a mode it shouldn't be in. Valin has kept all his affection above the waistline lately so I had no emotional fortitude built up and I was extremely sensitive. Thankfully when I looked up at Snowe and Zai they were too absorbed in each other to pay much attention to what was going on with me. Maybe it's a family thing. Since they weren't paying attention to us anyway, I retaliated by feeling Valin up when he took his shots. He smiled each time, glancing in my direction whenever I touched him but somehow remained focused on his shot. Zai always made a hole-in-one but he held the club traditionally. Snowe missed a few times and hit too hard a couple of times but she also held her club normally. Valin would never hit the ball straight, he'd always make it bounce and ricochet across the course so it was always a surprise that he always made a hole-in-one too. He'd even sometimes hold his club upside down and hit the golf ball with the handle as if he were playing pool and somehow still make it on his first attempt. Once the game was over,

"We won!" Valin cheered while picking me up to spin me around in his embrace.

"You got lucky." Snowe retorted and Valin left me to make a face at her and say,

"You're the reason your team lost, you missed 6 times."

"I've never played Mini Golf before!" She shouted in her defense then Zai came up to bonk my bf on the head with his fist,

"Don't bully Snowe." That's my cue. I stood between Valin and Zai,

"Don't bully my bf, just because you lost!" Zai seemed stunned at first then he smiled and said,

"You have a nice girlfriend." Before grabbing Snowe by the waist and pulling her in for a kiss against a nearby column.

"Zai... people might be watching." She murmured.

"I know." He whispered back... hmm yeah it seems to be a family trait. I held Valin's hand, he seemed to be lost in thought so I kissed his cheek before saying,

"You and your brother have a lot in common!" He looked at me, with a face of confusion,

"We look nothing alike." He replied, nonchalantly,

"Not in looks... but mannerisms." He tilted his head, brow furrowed. The face he makes when he's thinking.

"That's funny... we were just adopted into the same family. Maybe we have things in common because we grew up together." Valin ran his fingers through my hair and then smiled at me. His smile sent shivers through my body so I kissed his lips quickly to release some of the tension. 

"I would've never guessed that about you!... I want to know more... um... When you feel like talking. We should do it when we're alone though." I said while glancing at Snowe standing with her Fiance. They were now by the exit waiting for us.

"... Alright, but I want to know more about you too," Valin stated while holding my hand and intertwining our fingers.

We ordered food at the Karaoke bar, and Snowe sang first. I knew she'd sound great, she's a professional now, after all, and I've heard her sing before. Zai was good as well, with his looks and connections he could have become a celebrity... I guess it's not what he wants though. Valin encouraged me to sing next, saying he should sing last. So I chose 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 and she hugged me,

"I thought you said you couldn't sing, you sound fine!" She encouraged. Fine is probably the best she can say and that's enough for me, it's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my voice.

"Thanks for that too," I replied with a laugh, that's when Valin got up for his turn to sing. He chose an older love song. I had always been moved when I heard it but when he sang, I actually started crying. My heart quivered and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I thought it was just me, till I looked at Snowe and noticed she was crying too, even Zai looked impressed. When Valin finished Snowe hurriedly wiped her eyes and he handed her the mic,

"It's your turn again," Valin stated while taking his seat at my side.

"I... need a minute." She mumbled. 

"You were amazing!" I said while holding both of Valin's hands,

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

"You were amazing." Valin, hugged me back, chuckling softly. A moment later Snowe got up to sing again. We all sang on rotation, sometimes just eating and chatting. Everyone sang 3 songs before we decided to split up and head home. I waved enthusiastically to Snowe who waved back with the same energy. Then me and Valin entered his car. After cranking up the engine he said,

"I'm not completely moved in yet but... I have a new place... would you like to see it?"

"Tonight?" I inquired, he nodded at me so I smiled saying, "Yeah, show me."