Page 13 of Burned By Fire

6

EMBER

It’s dark, so I can’t see his expression, even though I wish I could. “I don’t want a pity date. I was thinking we could go as friends and it wouldn’t be a big deal, but if you go with me because you feel bad, it’s going to be awkward.”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel like that. Weddings aren’t really my thing, but right now, I’m trying to figure out what is. Let me go with you. You’re not forcing me, I’m offering.”

I close my eyes. Being enclosed in the darkness gives me a new confidence because, although he can’t see me well, it means I’m given the same privilege. “It was a stupid idea and I’m letting you off the hook. I don’t want a fake date, and I don’t want to explain to everyone you’re just a friend.” I wrinkle my nose, wishing I’d just asked him out.

“Is sitting on the singles’ table the only reason you invited me?”

“No. You’re going through a lot at the moment, I get that. But it would be nice to go with someone who cares about me. Someone I care about.” I probably shouldn’t have said that, but it hurts when he doesn’t see me. It’s one thing for him to be wrapped up in his own issues, but I don’t want him to pity me.

“Of course I care about you.” His tone is deeper than usual, with a flare of roughness.

“Not in the same way as I care about you. You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed.” My pulse quickens at what I’m insinuating.

He touches my arm, and I flinch. “We’re friends.”

I close my eyes, hating the sick feeling in my stomach. Visions of that one girl in every movie who likes the guy that’s out of her league play in my head. Then she puts herself out there and gets humiliated. I swallow a gulp. If I don’t do this now, there will always be an elephant in the room, and I don’t have to see his face if he turns me down.

“I’d like you to come as my date. Not because you feel sorry for me or feel you need to prove something to both of us. Don’t come as my friend. I’m asking you to be my date.” I drag out that last word, letting it hang in the air.

“Just so I’m completely grasping your words… you’re asking me out on a date with no strings attached, but also not in a platonic way.”

“Yes.” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.

“You should’ve made that clear from the start.” He holds his hand up like I should’ve been more obvious about what I wanted.

A strangled laugh escapes my lips. “Why? Would it have made a difference?”

He’s quiet for a few seconds. “I don’t know. You didn’t give me a fair shot at the question.”

“Sol, please will you be my date for my high school friend’s wedding?” I say too quickly, so the words almost join together.

“Yes.” The word is crisp and makes me pause.

My insides twist in knots. He agreed to go with me, and I just offered a part of myself I didn’t think I would. Does he understand I like him in that way?

“Do you have a suit?” I ask.

“Yes. I have one from the firefighter’s ball.”

“Okay, then. It’s a date. I’ll book us both a room and let Maya know I’ve confirmed my guest.” I wait for him to add a clause or say he’s changed his mind.

“Sounds great.”

We’re both quiet for a few minutes. “Are we going for a run tomorrow morning?”

He clears his throat. “I’ll be out in the park every day, or at least, that’s the plan.”

“You can do this. I have faith in you.” I pat his leg, giving reassurance.

He might be struggling, but I know him, and he’s determined to achieve his goals once he’s in the right mindset. It’s just a matter of time before he gets back on his feet.

“Thanks.” He pauses for a couple of seconds before continuing. “When I woke up in the hospital after the accident, I wished I was dead. I drank to numb the pain, and I couldn’t get out of bed for anything other than physio. It’s my friends that have made me leave the house, even though I’ve tried to push you all away. You, though, have become someone I would like to keep in my life. I want to go running with you, and I’m happy to help you out when I can.”

“You’ve always meant a lot to me. You were the guy I looked up to when I became a candidate, and then I was lucky enough for you to mentor me. Over the last year, we’ve become friends. If anything happened to you, I’d be lost.” My words come from the heart, and I’m glad he’s opened up to me.

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