Page 82 of The Blind Date

Even though they were tattling on each other, there was nothing the slightest bit off or toxic about the back and forth. It was very admirable and quite adorable.

When I saw Alina and Jeremy on their wedding day, I thought that other than my parents, I had never seen two people more in love before. But now, I knew I was wrong. I had thought they were so in love then, but I could see it was nothing compared to them now.

It was truly beautiful just how in love they were.

Was this what love was really like? Falling more and more in love with each other every day even after being together for so many years?

“Saff?” Alina called out to me as she got up and grabbed a few plates, her voice catching me off guard and forcing me out of my thoughts. “Do you mind helping me clear up?”

“Sure.” I shrugged and began gathering the rest of the dishes that needed cleaning.

“Need some help?” Toby asked, already reaching to grab his and Lainey’s plate.

"Nope," Alina was quick to deny, sending him a sharp look at him from over her shoulder. "I mean, thanks for the offer, but Saff and I have got this."

I shared a strange look with Toby at Alina's sudden change in mood, but nonetheless, I took the plates from him and followed her into the kitchen.

"Thank God! I've been trying to get you alone all evening." Alina exhaled dramatically as she began washing the dishes. With everyone else in the living room in front of the TV and the two of us alone in the kitchen, Alina and I had all the privacy we needed to talk.

“Why’s that?” I laughed at the exasperated expression on her face. I laughed harder when her mood was quick to do a one-eighty.

"Because I've been dying for you to spill the tea,” she grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement. “Tell me everything! I want to know everything! Don’t leave anything out.”

“Spill what tea?” I asked, playing coy.

She sent me a pointed look. "All the juicy gossip about you and Cedric."

"There's no juicy gossip about Cedric and me.”

“We both know that’s a lie,” Alina snorted, not falling for my lie for even a moment.

“I’m not lying. There’s really nothing going on between Cedric and me,” I persisted.

"I've been your best friend for so many years, Saff, so I know when you’re lying. Don't even try to bullshit me. I know something is going on between you too.”

"Sometimes it's annoying how well you know me,” I pouted. "We're keeping things lowkey at the moment."

“What do you mean by that?”

“We’re just seeing where things go without telling anyone.”

“Without the added pressure of everyone watching you and willing for it to work out?” Alina guessed.

“Yes.” I nodded. “I know it’s not very normal, dating in secret, but we feel like it’s the only way we’ll be able to experience normal dating without so many pairs of eyes on us.”

"I agree that it's not exactly normal, but I do see the appeal of you both keeping it to yourselves for a little while," she agreed. "It would save you a lot of micromanaging and prying from your parents constantly asking how things were going between you two all the time."

“His parents are just as bad as mine,” I laughed. “They’re great, but they’re just as desperate to set Cedric up with someone as mine are with me. With so much pressure on us to work out, I don’t think we’d stand a fair chance. I think we’d crumble under all the pressure, and that wouldn’t be fair on either of us.”

Alina nodded in understanding. “So, you and Cedric are officially dating now?” She grinned, excited.

“I guess.” I shrugged, struggling to keep the big smile off my face. It proved impossible.

“What do you mean, you guess?” She narrowed her eyes playfully at me. “It’s simple. You guys are either dating, or you’re not. Which is it?”

"I mean, we are technically dating, but it's all very new, you know? We’re still figuring things out.”

"I said from the beginning that you two are perfect for each other." Alina spared me a sideways glance, quick she shut her mouth when I sent her a sharp look. "Don't worry." She made a show of lifting her hand in the air and zipping her lips. “You won’t hear a word from me about it until you bring it up. But can I say one thing?”

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