"Thanks," I murmured.
"Mmm," he said.
I turned to face him, wanting to weep when the hand on my waist fell away.
"What next?"
"Microwave," I said.
"So romantic," he quipped, and as we walked to the counter, I stifled a grin.
"That move with the drinks was pretty romantic, Stone."
He shrugged. "I work with what I have. Still...are you sure this is where you want to go?"
"One hundred percent," I said.
Tolliver was right. This was probably the least romantic 'out' in the history of outs.
Which was precisely why I chose it.
It would keep our relationship clear, no misunderstandings, no growth. That would hopefully keep me from doing something stupid. Like falling farther than I already had.
"This way," I said and led him to another reason this was one of my favorite places. Sliding into the booth, I pointed to the space across from me, and Tolliver joined as well. Looking around, he nodded.
"Connected to a coffee shop," he said, easing back. "Not bad."
"Right?"
"Except you don't like coffee."
True, but... "I like the smell," I said. "It wraps around you, and when you pair it with tea"—I held up my cup—"something sweet"—the can came next—"and a warm, chewy, and delicious entree"—I pointed to the ramen—"it's an unbeatable combo."
Tolliver didn't nod, but he no longer looked skeptical. I considered that a win.
"Plus, no one ever comes here," I said with a shrug. "I don't think they know about it. Which again makes it the perfect hideaway. To me anyway."
After a moment, as I was eating my noodles, Tolliver said, "Let me see if I understand."
I nodded for him to go on.
"Instead of taking us to some restaurant you've always wanted to try or the movies where we wouldn't be able to talk, you brought me here. To one of your favorite places, to share your favorite foods and your hideaway."
Pausing, I looked up at him.
"This is somewhere special to you," he finished with a slow smile. "Somewhere no one else knows about."
"So?"
"So, you must be really into me. Huh, Kent?"
"You're reading too much into it."
"Maybe you didn't realize what you were doing," he said.
Tolliver was right about that. I didn't think twice about bringing him here, didn't see the significance—if there was any. I'd wanted to keep this impersonally personal. Instead, I literally took him to my spot. Good job, Freya. Total fail on that one.
"I think it's perfect," Tolliver said with a nod. "Thanks for sharing it with me."
