Page 26 of Melt His Heart

“So what is it then?”

“You’re just….a catch,” Carson says in English with a smirk.

“A what?” I don’t think I’ve ever heard this term before. My English isn’t completely fluent, so sometimes there are phrases I’ve not heard yet.

“Look that up later.”

“Carson, tell me now.” I insist, “Actually, I’ll just look it up on my phone.” I go to grab my phone, but Carson snatches it from my hands, him and his stupid hockey wrists.

“No phones at the table, how rude.” He says in a British accent, and I roll my eyes.

“You’re so annoying! I wanna know. This feels discriminatory.”

“We’re both Korean.” He laughs.

We finally make a decision on what we’re going to order when our waiter comes back around. We both get something different, so we can share. Carson really wants me to try his favorite dish.

“Anyways, wow, so I’m your first for a lot of things, huh?” He looks so smug and proud of himself right now, I can’t help but glare at him.

“Stop being weird, Carson.”

“How come you’ve never asked a girl out though? Too busy?”

“A girl?” I laugh.

Carson thinks I’m straight?

“Oh…” He tilts his head slightly.

Wait.

Did Carson really think I was straight? If he did…I didn’t think about the fact that he may have been doing all of this because he thought I was straight. Straight guys can be like that; they’re way more comfortable in their masculinity when their friends are perceived to be straight too.

“I…Yeah, I’m…I like guys.” I say, my ears growing hot. I feel like I’m under a microscope right now, “I thought you knew.” I add.

“Well, I guess that’s even worse.” He says, and I feel like I might throw up.

“What do you mean?” I ask, my body tensing.

“Because guys should be chasing you in the streets then.” He laughs.

“Carson! You fucking goofball.” I sigh in relief. I thought he was going to run screaming or tell me off, wanting nothing to do with me anymore.

And I just realized how much I would hate that.

* * *

I’m feeling a bit of dread as we arrive at my building. I don’t want this night to end now that it’s coming. He puts the car in park and gets out to open my door.

“What a gentleman.” I give him a small smile.

“Nothing but the best for you.” He says, and why do I feel like he means it?

“Well, thanks, Carson…It was really nice.”

“No. Thank you for going out with me again. Promise I’ll text back this time.” He winks at me.

“You’re so silly.” I mumble, shifting on my feet, “I’ll see you? Do you have a game?” I ask, furrowing my brows and fiddling with my sleeve.