“Yeah, like, wine and dine me for once,” I say teasingly.
His eyes glide up to meet mine, his side grin so refreshing to see on his face after countless scowls. Oddly, the fight between him and Oliver seems to have relaxed him. It’s as if he’s more confident about us than ever. It sends a thrill down my spine, giddiness tickling my heart.
“It’ll be my absolute pleasure to wine and dine you, baby,” he rasps. “I’ll spoil you for the rest of your life if that’s what you want.”
My stomach flips with the way he phrases that last part … I can’t help but think of how our last fight ended, outside of Jamie’s restaurant. How he told me he loved me. And how I so desperately wanted to say it back.
I wonder if he’ll risk telling me again.
Or will he be waiting for me to say it?
Then, again—am I even ready for love?
I push my anxious thoughts to the side for now and smile down at him. Smoothing my thumb across his cheek, I kiss him.
For now, my heart is cautiously hopeful.
I think I just need a little bit more time to mend some of my broken parts. For once in my life, I don’t want to rush into anything. Huxley means too much to me to ruin it with my old ways.
But the thought of Huxley and me finally dating feels like a warm beacon of light to my bruised heart. A sign that things are going to work out for us. Because if I am such a big believer in fate, then I also have to be an equally big believer inus.
That night,Huxley has his woodworking class, so I beg Jamie to come out with me for drinks since I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.
Baby steps.
I can sit in my feelings and reflect on it all tomorrow.
We meet up at a cute bistro uptown and choose to sit at the bar instead of a table. I catch her up with my new developments with Huxley, conveniently keeping out what happened this morning at the Remington.
“Then I told him I wanted to start dating.”
Jamie gasps as if I’ve told her the hottest Hollywood gossip.
“And what did he say?”
I press my lips into a smirk.
“He said that he’d spoil me for the rest of my life if that’s what I wanted.”
Jamie looks like she’s about to pass out, her eyes instantly watering.
“That’s so romantic,” she croaks.
Her reaction warms my heart, but I can’t help but tease her.
“Please collect yourself, Jamie.”
She snickers into her hand.
“Does that make us sisters now?” she says with stars in her eyes.
I snort into my wine glass. “Woah there, Jamie. As much as I love the idea, wejuststarted dating like an hour ago.”
She giggles and tucks a pink strand behind her ear.
“Well, a girl can dream.”
We share a laugh, taking a sip of our respective wines.
