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“Ready?” RJ asked.

“No,” I said.

“Great. Your date is in the back right corner wearing...” He pulled out his phone and stared at the screen. “A black suit, no tie.” RJ shrugged. “I personally would have worn a tie...”

“RJ, give me your phone!” I reached out to grab it but he pulled it away.

“No, stop it.” He slapped my hand. “There will also be a single white rose on the table.” He pocketed his phone. “Good luck, baby doll.” He opened the door for me.

My stomach churned.

“You’ve got this,” Sophie said. “And if it is Mr. Halifax, please don’t make out with him in front of me.”

“You’re not helping.”

“I’m sorry. I think I’m freaking out a bit too. I’m going to die if it’s him.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

“Deep breaths,” Sophie said.

“Tits up,” RJ said.

I took a deep breath and lifted my shoulders. And then I walked into the restaurant.

“Table for three?” the hostess said and glanced down at her clipboard.

The restaurant was absolutely packed. I couldn’t see anyone seated alone except at the bar.

“She’s not with us,” RJ said. “She has a blind date. But I have a reservation for two under Hunter.”

The hostess scanned her clipboard. “Yes, of course, sir. Right this way.”

Sophie gave me two thumbs up.

“Back corner,” RJ hissed and then quickly followed the hostess.

It looked like they were heading to the back corner too. Because of course they were. They were here to spy on me. I surveyed the restaurant as I walked through. It was mostly couples, presumably on romantic dates. And it was weirdly hot in here. Or maybe I was still mid-heart attack.

RJ, Soph, and the hostess rounded a corner up ahead. I followed them into a more secluded area of the restaurant. Everything was suddenly hushed.

I froze when I saw the back of a guy’s head. I couldn’t tell if it was my date. But he was the only guy seated alone back here.

I took a step closer. And there was a white rose on the table. I didn’t recognize whoever it was from behind. I glanced at where Sophie and RJ were being seated.

Sophie looked thrilled. Which meant it probably wasn’t Mr. Halifax... Or maybe she was just excited to get to see Mr. Halifax outside of school. We’d pretty much spent our entire summer stalking him all over the city.

My heart felt like it was going to explode.

I glanced at Sophie again. She still seemed really happy. And Sophie wouldn’t have looked thrilled about a drifter. At least, I didn’t think so.

There was a small piece of me that wanted to turn and run away. Sophie had seen him. She could just tell me.

But I needed to end this. I was with Jacob now. I loved him. And this felt like some kind of loose end.

I took a deep breath and walked up to the table. I saw the side of his face and knew instantly who it was. Oh thank God. “Leo?”

He smiled and stood up. “Hey.”