"Please."
"I think you like me even more than Ryker Cordova."
"You wish," I said.
"Yeah, I do."
Shaking my head, unable to wipe the smile off my face, I gestured to the paper. "Focus, Stone. We've got to get through these before the party."
Tolliver sighed long and loud. "Fine, but we're not done with this discussion."
If I had anything to say about it, we were.
"College. Where do you want to go?"
Running through my list of questions, I learned more about Tolliver. He said he didn't have a preference of colleges. He only hoped to end up somewhere he could be happy. I'd always wanted to go away for school but not so far that I couldn't drive back to see my parents. Hearing that he actually liked Brussels sprouts had me questioning his sanity. His preference for being cold over being hot was something we actually agreed on. When we got to the question about his favorite sibling, he said Elle...then Eli...and finally Hudson before coming full circle and declaring he couldn't choose. He loved them all too much. When he asked the same about my cousins, I straight up refused to pick. My girls were my girls. They were my favorite people, and no way could I rank one over the other. Tolliver's likes included: working out, spending time with family and friends, and playing on a team. I liked sleeping in, preferred to go places alone, and though I loved my cousins, I equally loved performing solo. Tolliver believed in love. I...wanted to.
We were both smiling as we slid out of the booth and walked outside.
"What are you so happy about?" Tolliver asked.
"Our first date was a success," I said.
"Date?"
Laughing at myself, I shrugged. "You paid for everything—even though I said not to, and I would've argued harder if I didn't feel bad about interrupting Sleepy's nap time."
He kept looking at me, not saying a word, and I started to feel a bit unsure.
"But you're right. Date sounds so lame, and I know this wasn't really?—"
"Freya."
I looked up as he placed his knuckles under my chin.
"Call it whatever you want. I don't care."
My gaze fell to his lips as he leaned forward.
"Thanks for taking me to your hideaway," he said.
"You're welcome," I said.
His lips brushed a kiss against my temple, and my eyes closed on their own.
Did him kissing me like this make it more or less like a date?
It definitely made my heart take flight.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
I couldn't wait.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"Why are you even going to this party?" Dad asked.
I released a sigh. "Because it's Sabrina's sweet 16, and I told her I'd be there."
