I lace our fingers together again, surprised how perfectly they seem to fit together.
And there it is again—that feeling. Stronger this time. I don’t understand it. Is this what a dateshouldfeel like? I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve held someone’s hand, unless of course you count dragging someone to the dance floor or off to bed.
This isn’t like that. Not even close.
We peruse a couple more shops as we slowly make our way back to the car, like neither of us are in a rush to leave.
And when we get there, I don’t unlock it right away. Korie had to coax the invitation out of me the first time. I don’t need to think about it now.
I glance at them, noticing the faint shimmer in their pale blue eyeshadow. “Hey. You wanna… not go home yet?”
They’re clearly amused, quirking a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at me. “Is that really how you ask someone if they want to watch the sunset?”
I duck my face, embarrassed. Then, after taking a breath, I try again. “Could we go somewhere to watch the sunset together, Kor?”
“I’d like that.”
Relief settles in my chest, quick and solid. Relief that they said yes, or relief that the night isn’t over yet? I’m not sure.
I secure the candles on the floor of the backseat, tucked between my emergency kit and a spare harness I keep forgetting to return to work. Then I drive us out to a popular overlook to see the sunset.
It’s nothing new. We’ve been here a hundred times, both with friends and alone. Plenty of late nights, early mornings, or random drives when one of us needed to get out of our own head. It’s familiar ground.
And yet, it’s not.
So many things about tonight have been different. Better, if I’m being honest.
I park on a turnout, strangely disappointed that there are a few other cars here. We climb onto the hood of my car, sitting hip to hip as the sun dips lower over the city, painting brilliant streaks of gold and orange across the sky.
“San Diego can be so pretty at night,” Korie says softly. “With all those lights spreading out like a bejeweled ocean.”
“Yeah, it is.”
For a while, we say nothing. When I catch a couple making out in the car next to us, I look away quickly, tugging my shirt. What am I supposed to do now? If I was with anyone else, I’d already be making a move. What would Korie want?
I rub my thumb over my palm, remembering the feel of Korie’s fingers threaded through mine. That same warmth flickers again, quieter now, but still there. Tonight really had been fun. Not really like our usual time together. It’s strange how sad it makes me that we won’t have it again.
“Hey, Kor?” The words slip out before I can stop them.
They turn toward me.
I bite the inside of my cheek. Shit. What am I even saying?
“I—uh.” I huff out a small laugh.Go big or go home, Holden.“I know I only asked for one date, but… would you be willing to do this again?” I finally meet their eyes. “I’ve really enjoyed this. And… I don’t know. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
They seem surprised. “How? I hardly had any feedback!”
I shrug. It was more the things theydidn’tsay that spoke volumes. The soft looks of surprise when I got things right, or amusement when I didn’t. I could read it all, and it revealed a lot about myself.
Mostly, that it wasn’t all me.
I thought I flailed on dates, but I see now that I got some things right, even if my dates in the past said or acted otherwise.
“You’ve shown me more than you think,” I say softly.
Korie pulls their knees up, wrapping one arm around them. “I don’t know if you’re serious, but if you are, you’re supposed to let it build up a little,” they say. “Give it a day or two. Or a week.Thenask for the second date.”
I gape. “You want me to wait before asking?”
