I’m pleasantly surprised by that. “Even more so than Christian music?”
Her face turns down with a slight frown at my question. “I’m allowed to be more than a pastor’s daughter.”
My cheek twitches with a smirk. “I couldn’t agree more.”
The statement has barely left my lips when she lifts her gaze to connect with mine before I focus back on the road. “Really?”
“Yeah, Tae. I also get what it’s like to be put into a box because of a parent’s occupation.”
“I suppose you’re right. My dad told me yours is a senator. Is this his first term?”
I nod once. “He’s up for reelection next year, so I’ve got to be on my best behavior.”
“And have you?”
“Have I what?”
“Been on your best behavior?”
I chew on my bottom lip as I weigh my answer. Finally, I ask, “What’s your definition of best behavior?”
“Have you done anything that could bring shame to your family?” she questions, though a giggle slips past her lips.
I bark out a laugh. This girl’s going to keep me on my toes.
“I feel like I’ve heard something like that inMulanbefore. My little sister made us watch every Disney movie a hundred times growing up. But to answer your question, no I don’t think I’ve done anything to shame the family lately. I have been known to host a party or two when my parents are out of town, but the parties are pretty tame.”
“Alright, I think I can work with that.”
“You think?”
“To be determined, Bear.”
“Bear?”
“Yeah, I think I liked Carson’s nickname for you. Thought I’d test it out.”
“You can call me whatever you’d like. So, if you love country music, then why did you turn it off? Not a fan of Tim McGraw?”
“Love him and his music”—she turns in her seat and faces me—“I just didn’t think you’d have such a beautiful singing voice.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I go for something playful. “You think I’m beautiful?”
“I said you have a beautiful voice. Don’t get it twisted,” she retorts, adding a roll of her eyes for good measure.
“Like listening to me talk, do you? We can turn our nightly texts into phone calls if you’d like to hear more of my voice.” I send her a playful wink as we roll to a stop at a red light.
Taevin gives me a slight shove on my arm that does nothing. “I feel like you’re deflecting right now. So tell me, are you in choir?” she asks.
“Me? No, I prefer not to sing in front of other people if I can help it,” I admit.
“But you just sang in front of me,” she points out.
“Guess that means I’m getting comfortable around you. But seriously, I don’t know how you sang in front of a packed arena the other night. Which, you killed by the way.”
“Thank you.” I’m not sure if it’s the red light or the compliment, but her cheeks take on a red hue. “It was actually a first for me, but I’m glad to have checked an item off the list,” she murmurs so quietly I almost miss it.
“And what list is that?”
