Page 118 of Choosing You

I lower my voice as a girl from my floor walks by. “Then why does he think that we aren’t, you know, doing stuff?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. You’ve known Blake for years.” I pull Garret into my room and close the door. “So why does he think that about us?”

“Because he asks me and I don’t say anything. So he just assumes we haven’t.”

“What does that mean? Did you tell him about all the other girls you were with?”

Garret gives me a look that I should already know the answer to that.

“Well, yeah, I know he said that you did, but I didn’t know if he was making that up. I mean, he also said you’d been with at least 10 girls. So how do I know if he’s telling the truth?”

“I don’t want to talk about this. It doesn’t matter. I told you. I don’t tell Blake anything about us. Even if you and Iwerehaving sex, there’s no way I’d ever tell him. And he knows that. Which means he’s just saying that shit to piss me off. And you.”

“I’m not pissed off. I mean, yeah, I didn’t like what Blake said but I’m over it now. What I’m mad about is how you’re reacting. You’re letting him ruin our entire day and probably our night.” I reach for his hand. “I want the old Garret back. The one in the pool before Blake walked in. That’s the only Garret I’m going on a date with tonight. So if he’s not available, then I’ll be staying here.”

Garret finally smiles. He leans down and kisses my cheek. “You’re right. I shouldn’t let him get to me. I’m back now, okay? So don’t try to cancel on me for tonight. I’ve been looking forward to this bowling thing all day.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you have.” I laugh as I turn him back toward the door. “Go upstairs. I need to take a hot shower. I’m freezing. Just tell me what time we’re going out.”

He walks out into the hall. “How about 5?”

I glance at the clock. “But it’s already 4:30.”

“Yeah. So what’s the problem? You always get ready in 10 minutes. Now suddenly 30 minutes isn’t enough?”

“Um, no. I can be ready. But isn’t 5 kind of early?”

“I’m taking you to dinner first.”

I look at him, confused. “Are you trying to get the early bird special?”

He laughs and I can tell the old Garret has returned. “Fine. We’ll eat after the bowling.”

“Okay, but I still don’t know why you want to leave so early.”

He smiles. “Because I want this first date to last. I have a feeling I’m gonna really like this girl and I don’t want it to be over in two hours.”

His comment takes me by surprise. He always says these really nice things out of the blue and I don’t know how to respond. So then I say something stupid. “Oh. Well, you should have said that before. I really thought you wanted the early bird special.”

He walks off. “Five o’clock, Jade. Hurry up.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

Even though Garretand I hang out all the time, I’m beyond excited about this date. Maybe because this date means we’re officially going out and no longer have to hide our relationship. Or maybe it’s because I’m hoping Garret will finally act like we’re more than just friends after tonight.

I take a quick shower, then put on jeans and a black shirt. I blow out my hair and straighten it, then sweep some blush on my cheeks and apply some mascara. Given that it’s our first real date, it would’ve been nice to have a little more time to get ready, but whatever. I’m anxious for this date to start.

Garret shows up right at 5 wearing jeans, a button-up shirt, and really expensive looking leather shoes along with his even more expensive leather jacket. As usual, he smells amazing.

“Are you ready or do you need more time?” he asks, kidding with me. He knows I pride myself on getting ready fast. I race back to my desk to grab my key.

“I’m ready,” I say, locking the door.

We walk out to his black BMW. He opens the door for me, as he always does.

“I had to look up where the nearest bowling alley was,” he says when he gets in the car. “The closest one is about a half hour from here.”

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