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He nodded again, and I took a deep breath.
“Okay. Last night, I, uh, told him I like him. As more than friends. He agreed to go on a date with me. But I don’t wanna push him for more than he’s ready for.”
Noah’s mouth opened and closed a few times, clearly at a loss for words. Eventually, he cleared his throat. “Youlikelike Elliot?”
“That’s what I just said.”
He shook his head, mumbling something under his breath that I didn’t catch. When his eyes met mine again, his gaze was assessing. “If I help you, I want you to promise me that you won’t take this lightly. I don’t want you to hurt him.”
“Noah, he’s my best friend, and he’s the most important person in my life. I never, ever want to hurt him.”
“Alright. In that case, he mentioned a new restaurant that opened up last month. It’s a sushi restaurant with a big floor-to-ceiling aquarium inside. Or…there’s—”
“A restaurant where you eat fish while watching fish swimming around in a tank?” I interrupted him. Because what?
“Uh, yeah.” He shrugged. “Apparently. I can find out the name—I can’t remember it off the top of my head. It might be a bit much if you’re trying to keep it low-key, though. I think it’s expensive.”
“No, I’ll do that.” I was already decided. It wasn’t low-key, but fuck it, if he wanted to go there…I’d just tell him it would be part of my Christmas present to him. “Can you text me the name when you find out? Just don’t say anything to him because I want it to be a surprise.”
Before he could reply, a voice sounded behind us. “What’s taking you so long?”
I sighed. “Hi, Liam. I was getting Noah’s advice on something. He can tell you about it later.” Giving Noah a nod to let him know that I was okay with him telling Liam, I headed back into the lounge, leaving them to sort out the snacks. Back on the sofa, I gave in to my desire and placed my arm around Elliot, pulling him into me. We’d cuddled together before, so it wasn’t new, but the feeling that went through me as I held him close…that was new and different, and I couldn’t get enough.
He made a pleased sound, leaning his head against me, and I couldn’t hold back my smile.
I didn’t know what was happening between us, but I knew that I didn’t want it to stop.
23
“Tell me.”
Ander shook his head, grinning. “That’s the fifth time you’ve asked me, and I’m still not telling you.”
I pouted, and his gaze slid to my lips, his eyes darkening. Heat shot through my body, and I had to forcibly remind myself that we were in public. Very much in public—out on the streets of London, surrounded by people.
Would I ever get used to him looking at me like that? It gave me a heady rush every time. I still couldn’t believe that this was my life, that it wasAndertaking me on a date, and he’d been the one to suggest it.
We were walking side by side, both wrapped up in thick coats, gloves, and scarves. My ears were freezing, but I hadn’t wanted to wear a hat—I’d tried to make an effort to style my wavy hair, and from the look on Ander’s face when he’d seen me, it had been worth the effort. But was good hair really worth my ears freezing off? Hopefully, we’d arrive at wherever we were going before we got to that point.
It was a nice day, though, despite the cold temperatures. To my right, the sun sparkled on the River Thames, the London Eye right up ahead with its queues of tourists. Across the river was the familiar sight of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
“Here we are. Stop one.” Ander came to a halt. I glanced at the building next to us, my brows pulling together. Oh, no.
“The London Dungeon? Uh…”
His smile grew wider. “E, I’d never take you there. I’m still partially deaf from your screams when we watchedThe Purge, and that wasn’t even scary.”
I punched his arm. “Hey! You jumped more than I did.”
“You can’t prove it. Anyway, no. We’re going there.” Gripping my shoulders, he manoeuvred me around so I was facing a different entrance a little farther away from where we were standing.
“Shrek’s Adventure? Really?”
He laughed softly, his breath tickling the side of my face. “No. Keep looking. The entrance next to it.”
My stomach did a little somersault as I read the words on the sign. “You’re taking me to the aquarium?” I glanced over my shoulder at him, a smile tugging at my lips.
“Yeah.” His hands slipped from my shoulders. “There was…Noah told me about that sushi place you wanted to go to with the aquarium. But when I googled it, it said that the aquarium bit was for private dining only. I’m only a poor student, so I couldn’t afford the fuck-knows-how-many-thousands it would cost to hire out the space. Soooo…I thought this would be the next best thing. We get to see the fish, and then we can go and eat sushi afterwards. Is—do you think that’s okay?”
