What, was he reading my mind? "Exactly. So why am I here?"
Nathan's hands tightened on the wheel, his jaw clenching. "Because you want to be."
I had no response. He was right. Despite all my reservations, and reasons why this was a terrible idea, I did want to be here. With him.
I just wasn't sure I was ready to admit that out loud.
Nathan turned onto the highway, the road stretching dark and empty ahead of us. The soft hum of the truck's engine filled the silence. I shifted in my seat, adjusting my dress for the hundredth time. Why did this feel so weird? It was just a drive. Just a meal.
No big deal, right?
Except it was a big deal. Nathan wasn't just some random guy. He was an alpha, a leader, a force to be reckoned with. And I was, well, I was just me. Rissa Mitchell, the girl who'd sworn offlove and relationships after getting her heart shattered into a million jagged pieces.
Nathan tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. "You're sitting there like I kidnapped you."
I scoffed. "I wouldn't be this calm if you kidnapped me."
He glanced at me, smirking. "I don't know. You seem pretty good at keeping your emotions locked down."
I crossed my arms. "Not true."
He snorted. "Really? Then tell me, what's your least favorite color?"
I blinked. "What?"
"Least favorite color. You're not allowed to say something safe like brown or gray."
I rolled my lips together, pretending to think. "Neon green."
Nathan tilted his head. "Why?"
I shrugged. "Looks like someone liquified a highlighter. What about you?"
"Orange."
Igasped dramatically. "You live in Tennessee, and you hate orange?"
Nathan chuckled. "Football fans take it too far. If I have to see another bright orange sweatshirt with a 'GBO' on it, I might lose my mind."
I smirked. "You just insulted half the state. Maybe more."
He shrugged. "Let them fight me."
My giggles helped break some of the awkwardness. "Okay, my turn. What's your biggest pet peeve?"
Nathan exhaled. "People who block doorways. Just move. Why are you standing there? I've got places to be."
I laughed. "That's so specific."
"You've never been trapped behind a slow walker when you're in a hurry?"
I hummed. "Okay, fair. Mine is people who chew with their mouth open."
Nathan grimaced. "That's worse than mine. But also, elevator etiquette. It makes me insane. You let everyone get off before you get on. If someone tries topush in, I won’t move."
I snorted, and Nathan glanced at me. "Okay, real question."
I tensed. "I liked the dumb ones."
