Page 86 of You Said I Was Your Favorite

“You spoil me.”

“You deserve it.” His arm shoots out next to mine, fingers drifting over my mother’s ring. “Is this new?”

“It was my mom’s.” I go silent.

So does Arch, though he keeps his hold on me, his arms still wrapped around my waist. All I can hear is the steady beat of my heart, ratcheting up the longer we remain quiet.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened?” he finally asks, his voice a gruff whisper.

I shrug. “Maybe.”

He doesn’t push. Instead, he asks, “Are you hungry?”

I close my eyes for a moment, grateful for his change in subject. “Yes.”

“We should go.”

“How are we getting there?”

“I’m driving you.”

“You have a car?”

He spins me around in his arms so I’m facing him, a smirk on his handsome face. “Yeah, I have a car.”

“I never see you drive anywhere.” I shrug. I guess I assumed he had a car but then again, he’s a Lancaster so maybe he has a hired driver who takes him everywhere he needs to go.

“Because I haven’t driven anywhere with you before.” He reaches out, brushing the hair away from my face. “You ready to go, birthday girl?”

I nod, tingling where he touches me. Shivering at the way he looks at me. His gaze hot and full of promise. I have a feeling this is going to be the best night of my life.

All thanks to Arch.

* * *

We endup at a steakhouse Arch made reservations at that’s about forty minutes from campus. Arch’s car is nice—a black Mercedes G Wagon—and he drove a little too fast for my taste, though I get the sense he took some of those curves extra fast on purpose to make me squeal. He’s got a naughty streak that means he’s always up to no good, and while there’s something endearing about his mischievous ways, it’s also a little terrifying.

When we’re seated and I crack open the menu, I almost fall out of my chair at the prices. I look up, trying to get his attention, but he’s too busy concentrating on the menu, his brows drawn together in concentration.

“I think I’m getting the ribeye. What do you want?” He glances up real quick, doing a double take when I’m hurriedly shaking my head. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s so expensive here.” I set the menu down and lean across the table, lowering my voice even more. “It’s too much, Arch.”

“No, it’s not,” he says firmly, returning his attention to the menu. “Get whatever you want. It’s your birthday. I want to spoil you.”

I can’t even afford a salad in this place and I scan over the various options, chewing on my lower lip. I’m so hungry and can’t deny a steak sounds delicious. I don’t eat a lot of red meat normally but when I do, it feels like a treat.

But a steak here is well over my budget and I feel bad, having Arch pay for something so pricey.

“I can practically feel the worry pouring off of you.” I glance up to find him watching me. “Order what you want, it doesn’t matter about the price. I can afford to pay for every single person’s meal in this place.”

He’s right. I know he can. But still—

“Daze.” My gaze jerks to his, noting the seriousness I see shining in the blue depths. “It’s a special night. Don’t ruin it.”

I smile at him and nod once. “I want steak too.”

“You should get the ribeye,” he says without hesitation.

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