Then gave methatlook, eyes crinkling at the edges, mouth tugging into a small, guilty smile.
“What?” I asked, smiling despite myself. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks going the slightest bit pink. “Well . . . because . . . I’ve never actually been to a real concert.”
I stared. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” He winced. “Not unless you count the Christian rock bands my parents let me listen to as a kid.”
“Oh my god.”
“And,” he added, holding up a finger, “I did take Leo to see The Wiggles. Does that count?”
I put my hand over my heart. “Okay, that is adorable, but also absolutely does not count.”
He laughed — warm, sheepish, boyish. “I figured.”
“You’ve seriously never been to a concert?” I asked again, as if repeating it would make it make more sense.
“Not a real one,” he said, shrugging.
“No basement punk shows. No stadium tours. No indie bands in questionable venues. Nothing?”
He shook my head slowly, dramatically.
“That’s tragic.”
He laughed again, covering his face for a second. “I know. I know.”
“We have to fix this,” I declared. “It is our duty as citizens.”
He dropped his hand and looked at me, really looked.
“Ourduty?” he echoed gently.
Heat crept up my neck. “Yes. Obviously.”
His smile softened into something that tugged at my ribs. He reached across the blanket and took my free hand, no hesitation this time, no testing the waters.
Just . . . warmth. Sure, steady, intentional warmth.
“I’d like that,” he said quietly. “Going to one with you.”
My heart flipped, a full somersault. My breath caught in my throat.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Me too.”
His thumb brushed lightly over my knuckles, sending the tiniest spark through me, not shocking, but grounding. Comforting.
The sun had sunk lower now, almost completely gone, painting the lake in gold and violet. The fairy lights above us flickered softly, glowing against the deepening blue sky. Alex was still holding my hand, thumb brushing slowly over my knuckles, and something inside me, something quiet and hopeful and long asleep, stirred awake.
He looked so beautiful in the half-light.
Scruffy jaw.
Soft brown eyes.
Gentleness radiated off him with every breath.
