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“I wanted to impress you,” he admits, which is pretty much the sweetest thing he’s ever said. He has no idea what a catch he is. That any girl would be lucky to sit in traffic with the guy, let alone soak up his presence while doing an activity that he researched just for her.
Licking my lips, I peek up at him to find us closer than I expected, but I don’t back away.
“Well, it worked,” I murmur. “Not because you knew the answers to a bunch of nerdy Star Wars questions, but because you were so freaking thoughtful to find an activity that was pretty much perfect for me and did the research to make it happen. Then, as a cherry on top, you put in the effort to learn about it beforehand so that you could actually enjoy it with me, instead of just watching me participate from a distance. It was like…the trifecta of thoughtfulness.”
“I figured I owed you that much.”
My head cocks to one side. “What do you mean?”
“Before…I was always distracted by football and school.”
“Uh, I call bullshit,” I joke. “I was there, too, remember? And I can personally say that you’ve always been thoughtful and an amazing boyfriend.”
“I think you’re giving me too much credit.”
“And I think you’re being too hard on yourself,” I counter.
“You deserve the world, Say––”
The words sting. “You told me that the night you ended things. Do you remember that?”
His jaw tightens, but he nods.
“And do you remember what I told you?”
Scrubbing his hand over his face, he grumbles, “Yeah.”
“What did I tell you?” I press.
“That I was your world.”
“And I still stand by that. You were a great boyfriend before, Owen. If you weren’t, do you really think I’d still be single after all this time? You kind of ruined all men for me after that.” I smirk, but it doesn’t soften his scowl.
“But––”
I push my forefinger to his lips.
“Nope. No buts. I know what you’re going to say. That you were distracted with football and college opportunities, and you felt like you weren’t enough for me. But––no offense––that was bullshit.”
“Say….”
“I never wanted to be the only thing in your life. I just wanted to be part of it, Owen. That’s why I would’ve never let you quit football. That’s why I wanted to support you with your dreams.”
“Say––”
I lift my hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to open up that can of worms again. I just want you to know that I had a blast tonight, but if we went to a football game together, or even went to get your oil changed, I would’ve loved that too.”
His mouth quirks up, and he takes a step forward until the cold metal from the car presses into my back. “You think I can’t change my own oil?”
“I mean, you’re kind of a city boy now, aren’t you? Are you sure you’d be down for getting your hands dirty still?”
“Get in the car, Say,” he growls.
I know I’m playing with fire, but I lift my chin and challenge him. “Excuse me?”
Only a sliver of space separates our mouths from touching, and it makes the anticipation build around us like an anthem. “Get in the car so I can drive you home and show you exactly how dirty I like to get.”
“Only if you kiss me first,” I dare him, the chemistry between us swirling together into a heady, familiar concoction that makes my knees weak.
