“Yeah,” he whispers back. “Wow.”
“Alright, you two,” Sadie says softly. “We’re done here.”
I squeeze Devon’s neck before I climb out of the back seat and help him out, too.
We talk to Sadie for a while, enjoying her company for a few more minutes. She tells us when to expect a message with our images, and shares some of her travel plans as the sky darkens. At one point in the conversation, Devon brushes my pinkie with his, like he’s too shy to hold my hand. I do it for him and weave our fingers together.
Eventually, Sadie leaves, and then it’s just the two of us in the dark.
CHAPTER 05: DEVON
“Do you wanna go for a ride?” I ask, then immediately cringe. “That wasn’t a corny pickup line, I swear. I have more game thanthat.”
Aaron grins, pushing his fingers through his blond curls as he turns to face me. “Are we talking about taking the car for a ride, or takingyoufor a ride?”
“Thecar.” My skin flames, and I’m thankful the darkness hides my whole-body flush.
“That’s a shame,” he teases. “But I have an idea.”
“Oh boy,” I deadpan.
He grins as he grips the back of his neck in one of the few signs of nerves he’s shown all afternoon. “This is corny as hell,” he says, “but… can I take you on a date? Like, right now?”
“Where?” I ask, and he gestures around the empty lot.
“Here.”
My confusion must show, because he holds up a finger before he jogs over to his car and opens the trunk. He digs through the contents before returning with something in his hand. Instead of coming to me, though, he climbs into the passenger seat of my car. My interest is piqued as he props his phone on the dash. Music plays into the silence as he steps back and gestures at the back seat.
“After you,” he says with an endearingly shy smile.
“What’s this?” Puzzled, I walk closer to where the seat is leaned forward.
For the first time today, Aaron looks uncertain as he glances at the tiny screen of his phone.
“It’s a, uh, drive-in.” Plastic crinkles as he squeezes the bag in his hand. “The weather is nice, and we’re already dressed for the occasion. I had some groceries in my trunk, so I have sodas… even though they’re hot from being in there—”
“Aaron,” I say quietly, but he doesn’t hear me.
“—and, um, pork rinds? They’re maybe not the best movie snack, but—”
“Aaron,” I repeat with a laugh, and he stops rambling and meets my eyes. “This is really sweet.”
“Not… ridiculous?”
“Oh, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” I say as I slide into the car again. “Ridiculously cute.”
He slides in beside me and pulls the door shut before handing me a soda and tearing open the bag of pork rinds.
I grin like an idiot as I grab one and pop it into my mouth.
We don’t talk much as the movie starts, and Aaron’s hands fidget in his lap. Seeing his nervousness is sweet, but it also helps me to calm down. He’s just as anxious as I am about this, and the realization settles my churning gut. I bite my lip as I stare at his profile in the darkness, and I put my drink aside as I scoot closer.
“Can I ask you something?” He nods, and I motion at his toned body and gorgeous curls. “Why are you single?”
He laughs, clearly not expecting the question, so I expand on my thoughts. “It’s just… you’re a good-looking guy, and from what I can tell,”—I gesture around at our impromptu date—“you’re thoughtful, too. It makes me a little hopeless, you know? If a catch like you can’t find anyone, what does that mean for me?”
“Nuh-uh,” he says as he twists to face me. “None of that self-deprecating bullshit. You’re more of a catch than I am. You’re smart, and witty as hell, and so fucking pretty.”
