EXCERPT
“What time do you get off work?” he asked.
I turned and narrowed my eyes at him. “I close at six. Then I have to balance the register, so around six thirty.”
Ethan looked down at his hands for a second, then glanced up at me through his thick lashes. “You want to get something to eat when you’re done?”
I licked my lips, his dark brown eyes pulling me in. I tore my gaze away and tried to focus on the computer screen. He didn’t say anything for a few moments, and I fidgeted, knowing he was watching me. When I turned toward him, his expression was so intense that my stomach somersaulted.
“Just one time,” he said quietly.
“What?”
“Say yes, just one time.” Ethan slowly moved behind the counter, his eyes never leaving mine.
“If you don’t have a good time, fine. But, I’ve been trying to get you to give me a chance for years. Don’t act like you didn’t know.”
I shook my head slightly as he approached, wanting him closer but afraid of what it would mean.
He stopped, his brow creasing. “I won’t hurt you,” he whispered.
His expression was so earnest my mind went blank for a moment.
“Ethan,” I began, my thoughts scrambled. “You know I’d like to—”
“So say yes.”
I looked up at the ceiling. I was tired of always pushing him away. If I went out with him once, maybe then I could convince him too that this was a bad idea. I covered my face with my hands. “All right,” I mumbled through my fingers.
“What was that?” I felt the warmth of Ethan’s hands as he pulled my own away from my face.
“I said all right,” I repeated, my insides fluttering.
He gathered my hands and pulled them close to his chest. His scent, clean and fresh like sun-warmed denim, made my knees go weak.
With his head tilted back, he exclaimed in a mock reverent tone, “Yes! Thank you! Six-thirty on the dot. Be ready. I’m picking you up!”
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