“I’m not,” he says. “And I know how ridiculous that sounds, given everything.”
“I’m sure you can find someone more suitable to go on a date with,” I tell him coldly.
His jaw tightens. “I choose you,” he says quietly. “If you’ll let me.”
I stare at him for a long moment.
This is the dangerous part. Not the kiss. Not the fight. The choosing. Because choosing means responsibility. It means I don’t get to hide behind anger if I walk into something that might hurt.
I exhale slowly.
“One date,” I say. “On my terms.”
“Yes,” he says.
“Somewhere quiet,” I continue. “Where we can talk. Not expensive. Not flashy.”
“Yes. When?” he asks softly.
“Wednesday,” I say. “After close.”
He nods. “Where do you want to go?”
I hesitate. “The Moonlight Lounge. A little hole in the wall that doesn’t care who you are as long as you tip well and don’t make a scene.”
“I’ll be there,” he says.
I hold his gaze for a beat longer and catch the softest smile on his face.
I turn away before he can say anything else.
I walk straight toward Gwen.
“Well?” she whispers, as if Leo can hear us.
I lift the paper slightly.
“Tell me this time the paper’s a good thing?” she asks. I nod. “Did he try to apologize his way into your pants?”
I glare at her. “Gwen.”
She grins, completely unrepentant. “It’s a valid question.”
“He listened,” I say quietly. “And he asked me out on a date.”
I can’t help the smile that slips out with the words.
Gwen’s expression changes immediately. “I knew it.”
I nod once. “Yeah.”
“Do we go shopping for an outfit now? I don’t know what to do,” Gwen says, and I laugh.
The sun shifts overhead. The air smells like coffee, oranges, and hot pavement.
I hook my arm through Gwen’s, and together we walk back toward the city.
Chapter 26
