“Put it in Park,” I instruct, knowing this is going to take a while.
She does as I say, throwing the gearshift into Park and then staring down at the wheel.
“Look at me, Finch.”
Hesitantly, she turns her head to me, but her eyes don’t find mine. I twist my frame, planting my elbow on the center console and gently grabbing her chin, angling her face until I find her eyes. “I’m sorry about Adrianna.”
She shifts her eyes, and I lose her gaze. “It’s not that.”
“What is it?” I ask gently, patiently.
She sighs, pulling her chin from my grasp and fixing her gaze on something past the windshield, looking contemplative.
“I don’t know,” she says helplessly. “I guess . . .”
I reach over and place my hand on top of hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“I’m not used to going to places like that, and going with you . . . I felt like everyone was staring at me, like, who’s this girl hanging out with him? We’ve never seen her here before. Why is he giving her the time of day?”
I frown, crushed she feels this way.
“I just felt like all eyes were on me. Judging me.” She takes a deep breath. “And when we were dancing . . .” She trails off, looking uncomfortable and embarrassed.
“I’m sorry, Finch, I crossed a line,” I admit. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I just—” Now it’s my turn to struggle for words. “I got too caught up in being that close to you. You look beautiful and you smell fucking awesome. I guess I just got carried away and lost control.”
Even in the dark I can make out her blush. She shakes her head. “No, I guess I got lost in all of it, too, for a bit,” she admits shyly, her confession so soft I almost don’t hear it.
I try my best to tamp down my triumphant smile. So she didn’t hate it? Did she maybe even enjoy it a little?
“I guess it’s a good thing Adrianna intervened,” she says, her tone kidding, trying to lighten the mood, but a flash of anger strikes me.
“Yeah,” I grumble, clearly bitter.
I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Adrianna hadn’t ruined the moment.
Olivia cracks a smile, eyes laughing. “She’s pretty determined.”
I let out a frustrated breath, raking a hand through my dark hair. “Tell me about it,” I grumble. “I’m sorry tonight was ruined. I’m sorry I even made you go in the first place.”
Olivia’s smile softens. “You didn’t make me do anything.”
“Why did you come anyway? I lost the bet.”
The side of her mouth quirks up. “Yeah, and you were pretty upset about losing,” she points out.
“Of course I was.”
She lets out a sigh, leaning back in her seat, her eyes fixed on the visor above her head. “A part of me wanted to go. Finally have a legit college experience. Delilah and even my parents tell me that I need to get out more, live life not so uptight.”
“Why don’t you?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I guess I’m scared.”
I furrow my brow. “Why?”
She gives another meek shrug, her eyes drifting to our still-joined hands.
We sit in silence for a few moments.
