Looking up at Brad, I see his eyes jumping from my plate to his while he cuts into his piece.
He cares so much about what I think. He shouldn’t have to worry. Judging by the smell alone, I know I’m going to love it. Cutting into my steak and placing it in my mouth, I instantly know I was right. One bite and I already don’t want this dinner to end.
“You like it?” Brad asks, popping a piece into his mouth.
“Mmm,” I groan, letting another one melt on my tongue.
This makes Brad chuckle as he continues watching me. As though he can’t stop himself, he brushes a piece of my hair behind my ear. The connection gives me chills, as I lean into his touch. He doesn’t take away his hand. Instead, he holds me at the nape of my neck. His thumb caresses up and down the column of my throat, putting me at ease as I eat. I place my hand on his lap as I continue eating and just like that, we’re settled. Like it’s the simplest thing we could ever do. He eats while admiring my face, and I close my eyes and enjoy the taste and feeling it all gives me.
“Have you managed to reconnect with any of your friends since getting your phone?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Nah. Not really.”
“What about…Dakota?” Brad asks, hesitant. His eyes flick to mine, like he’s bracing himself for the answer.
My brow lifts. I didn’t expect that question. “It’s been over a year and you still remember her name?” I huff a quiet laugh. “She must’ve made an impression.”
Brad shrugs. “She seemed like more of a friend than you let on.”
I lick my lips, nudging a piece of steak around my plate. “Well…” I trail off. “We used to be. When we were younger.”
“You dated?”
I scoff. “No—nothing like that. We just…hung out. Talked. Had fun. We were friends.”
“So what happened?”
I frown, thinking. “I guess I realized I prefer being alone.”
He blinks slowly. “A lone wolf.”
I nibble on my bottom lip. “Pretty much.”
He nods his head. “Me too. I’ve always preferred being on my own.”
My eyebrows furrow. “What about Kevin?”
Brad shrugs. “Kev was always kind of…there,whether I liked it or not.” He lets out a short, amused laugh. “Honestly, I’m not even sure why. We were at odds growing up, but he just… stuck around anyway.” He shakes his head.
“Hm.” I huff. “I’m not surprised. The question isn’twhyKevin stuck to you. It’s why you bother with him.”
He lets out a short, amused laugh. “You really don’t like him, huh?”
I shake my head. “Ireallydon’t.”
“If I remember correctly,Iwasn’t your favorite person when we first met either.”
I swallow thickly. He’s right. “Yeah, well…don’t take it personally. I’ve never really been one to let people get close.”
Brad hesitates. His hand loosening on my neck.
“Was it hard to? After your dad left?”
I bite the inside of my cheek as I look down at my plate. “Yeah, I guess so.” I bite into a piece of my salad. I feel Brad squeeze the back of my neck, reminding me he’s here. It instantly calms me down. I struggle to find the right words. “I mean…what’s the point of holding on to someone that’s going to leave, you know?”
Brad’s eyes flicker between mine. His bites slowing down as he takes in my words.
“You leave before you’re left.” He finally says.
