“You were going to ask me out?”
“Yes,” she said. “Wait. Where am I going?”
Lacey laughed and told her, “Straight through this light. Then, next right. That’s my building.” She pointed up ahead. “And you’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I know you and River just broke up, so if you need time, that’s fine, but I’m sure, Lacey. I want to see what this can be.”
Cameron made the right turn.
“How would it even work? I live here. You live there. I have–”
“Let’s not worry about that part yet. Are you saying yes to a date? One date?”
“You can pull up here,” Lacey said, pointing to the building’s entrance. “And I’m scared, Cam.”
Cameron pulled the car up and turned to her.
“I am, too, but I think it’s worth it, Lace.”
“I’m honestly not scared that it won’t work out, Cam. I’m a little scared that itwill.”
“What? Why?”
“As okay as I am with taking pictures and, I don’t know, going to things with you, if you want, should it even get that far – I amnotKennedy Gannon. I don’t know how to be her, you know?”
Cameron cupped Lacey’s cheek and said, “I justbroke upwith Kennedy Gannon, Lacey. I don’t want you to be like her. I want you to be you. I’m askingyouout, remember?”
Lacey nodded and leaned into her touch.
“I want to kiss you right now,” Cameron admitted. “So much. But I won’t because we’re going on a date, and I want to wait until then.”
“Did I say yes yet?” Lacey teased.
Cameron tilted her head and asked, “When can I call you later? When are you done with work?”
“Never,” Lacey replied with a laugh. “But I’ll be home around seven.”
“Can I call you at, say, seven-thirty so that you have time to eat or do whatever? We can talk more about this and set up our date.”
Lacey nodded and asked, “Will you text me when you get home, too?”
Cameron nodded back and replied, “Definitely.”
Lacey moved out of Cameron’s touch and said, “Okay. I should go, then.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to kiss you, too, but I like what you said about the date thing. We’re also off the main road, so people come and go here all the time. Anyone can see us.”
Cameron smiled as Lacey opened the door and replied, “See? You’re already getting the hang of this.”
“Shut up.” Lacey laughed. “Call me later?”
“Seven-thirty on the dot. I can FaceTime, if you want.”
“I’ll be in my comfy clothes and probably eating a Hot Pocket. Not exactly sexy.”
“Oh, count me in.” Cameron laughed.
