“Did you sprint here?” he asks, sliding his key into the lock.
“I ordered a Campus Driver so I’d get here ASAP.”
He shakes his head. “No you didn’t.”
How would he know?I wait for him to explain.
“My business partners know what happens to people who steal my favorite passengers.”
“Is this the part where I giggle and twirl my hair?” I bat my lashes at him. “?‘Favorite passenger’—me? Okay…”
He smiles at me and I gulp.O-V-E-R!
I trail him into the kitchen. He plops himself down at the table across from me, arms folded behind his head.
“A good book boyfriend would have pulled out the chair, you know,” I start.
“Fuck. Should we do another take?”
“So.” I ignore him, drumming my fingers on the table. “A date, huh? With Cheyenne?”
“Yeah!” His eyes are shining. “Wedidget that coffee, but I had to wrap things up early—a ride came in.”
“Not cool. You should really be putting your phone on silent when you’re with your girlfriend. It’s pretty rude.”
“Agreed.” He nods eagerly.
“So, where are you guys eating?”
“I was thinking Marcella’s.”
“Does she dig Italian?”
“No idea.”
“Any food allergies?”
“I have no clue! Does it matter?”
“I mean, kinda.” I snort. “I’m guessing killing your girlfriend on your very first date isn’t a good look.”
He presses his lips tight. “Pretty basic advice. Maybe Idon’tneed a teacher anymore.”
“I thought this day would never come!” I make prayer hands. “So—I’m free?”
“Nope,” he says, wagging a finger at me.
I hold a finger up to him, too. My middle one.
“I’m gonna text her. Make sure she likes Italian.”
“Good boy.”
He fires off a message, and a second later, his phone pings. He tilts the screen to show me.
“It’s a yes for Marcella’s!” he crows. “She even sent three heart emojis.”
“That’s absolutely adorable,” I drawl. “You booked, right?”
