“Shut up, you know what I mean.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’d never given guys a second look, then you come along, and I couldn’t see anyone else. How have you not had others fall for you?”
“People falling for me wasn’t the problem,” Grey said darkly. It was a reminder of what had happened with the girls and the stalking and that one blacked-out night, a reminder that begged me not to make him elaborate again. “But it takes two to fall successfully into anything worthwhile.”
“And that never happened,” I finished for him. “Which is crazy. You could’ve had anyone you wanted.”
Grey leaned back, seemingly pondering something. “Maybe,” he finally allowed. “But I’ve been too busy with the band and my music and my dreams to look for anyone I’d want.”
That sort of made sense. He had a one-track mind toward the future—always darting between rehearsals, recording sessions, and class. I wasn’t sure how he had the energy to keep up with it all. It made the past few months of him taking the time and effort to see me seem even more strange and unfathomable.What’s so special about me to catch his eye through all the distractions?
Our food was delivered then. I’d apparently ordered the steak and potatoes. Grey had ordered the same.
“Could we get two glasses of Merlot?” Grey asked the waiter in such a low voice I didn’t think he intended for me to hear.
I pretended I hadn’t until the glasses were brought forth and the wine was poured.
“I have to admit,” I said after washing down a bite of steak with a sip of wine. “You almost seem like you’re trying to make up for not talking to me for days.”
“Is it working?”
“Hmm.” I pretended to deliberate while I took another sip of wine. “Almost.”
“What can I do to make you forgive me?” His eyes sparked mischievously when he said it.
The very serious moments we’d shared over the past few times we spoke were suddenly history. My Grey was back. That single ember was enough to make my heart leap into my throat.
“Well, you’re already paying for dinner, so you’re off to a good start,” I said playfully, planning to be coy, but then my mind latched onto what I wouldactuallyneed to put this whole thing behind us. “If you want the truth, I need some reassurance that it won’t happen again. That you won’t freak out and retreat and leave me alone.”
Grey slowly set down his wineglass, then, before I realized what he was doing, he grabbed my hand.
“Grey, people are staring,” I said, flustered as other eyes in the room turned toward us.
There weren’t many people there, but it felt like the whole restaurant was suddenly looking at us. I could’ve sworn I saw at least one phone rise to record. That might’ve been my paranoia.
“I don’t really care,” Grey said, his gaze as intense as I’d ever seen it.“Do you?”
The moment he asked the question, I realized I didn’t.
“Ethan,” he continued. “I want you to go out with me. No, going out isn’t enough. I want you to be my boyfriend. I want to court you.”
“Court me?” I blinked at him. “Like it’s the 1950s?”
He flashed a disarming white smile. “Exactly like that. We can go steady. I’ll take you on romantic walks and to the beach and to see baseball games.”
“You lost me at sports,” I said dryly.
He was undeterred. “You get the point. I want to be just yours, and you can be just mine.”
Without meaning to, I laughed. It was a nervous one, but it only bubbled to the surface because I could tell he was being so sincere. So stupidly, adorably sincere. Truth be told, I was scared shitless about the prospects of dating anyone, but particularly Grey. He could hurt me more than anyone on this planet if I let him. But he also made me feel more alive than anyone I’d ever met.
He mistook my laugh as one of degradation, and his grip loosened on my hand. “You can say no if you want. I’d understand.”
I tightened my hand around his. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you. I’m just nervous. Ask me again.”
Grey hesitated, then his eyes intensified. “Ethan, will you go out with me?”
My face warmed. I could still feel others’ eyes on me. But I grinned at him in spite of all that. I couldn’t find it in me to care what they thought or what the internet would say when this video inevitably made its way online.
“I would love to go out with you, Grey.” My face brightened as I spoke.
