Page 66 of Between Earth and Eternity
“Will you give me a chance?” he asks, his eyes pleading.
“Maybe. Why a date?” I ask.
“Are you really surprised I’d want to go on a date with you?” he asks, cheeks blushing ever so slightly.
“No it’s not that,” I say, hoping it doesn’t sound cocky. “I haven’t been on a date in a while. I’m not sure I’ll be that fun of a companion to be honest.”
“I find that hard to believe.” He shakes his head.
“It’s true. Even when we had other friends, I did things more with Elliot than anyone else. And then it was just us two. With El, I never had to overthink everything I did or said, especially with a guy,” I say, followed by a grimace. “Does that make sense at all?”
His forehead wrinkles in thought before he says, “You don’t need to put on a performance, if that’s what you mean. I like you the way you are.”
I stiffen, looking down at my drink. The maybe is leaning more toward a yes.
“I like you too, Payson.”
He leans in a bit at that, hopeful. “Enough to give me a chance?” he asks softly.
El pops into my consciousness again.Come on, San Fran. Give the guy a break.
“Well”—I take a deep breath—“I think a date sounds nice.” I watch his shoulders drop slightly in relief. “Though I’m still not sure about everything,” I add, but I smile as I do.
“Okay then. How about tomorrow?” His face lights up in earnest, and it makes a pang of guilt sink into my stomach, because even if I wanted to fully trust him, to like him as more than a friend, I’m not sure I could.
Vallen wasn’t wrong. I am pathetic and lonely, but I don’t want to be, and maybe Payson can lessen that loneliness. Maybe not completely, but a little would help.
“That’s perfect.” I smile, and a goofy grin spreads on his face. The freckles dotting his nose and under his eyes crinkle against his skin.
Eventually, Laz and Ori join us at our table, and things easily slip back into normal for the four of us.
“Does anyone need a refill?” Laz asks, holding up his empty glass.
“I do,” I say.
“Me too,” Ori adds.
“Coming right up.”
“I’ll help,” Pace says, standing to follow him to the bar. When they’re out of earshot, Ori uses the time to her advantage.
“So, it looks like you and Pace made up,” she says with a wide grin.
“You could say that. We’re going on a date tomorrow,” I admit coyly.
“He asked you! Finally!”
“Did you know he was going to ask?”
She scrunches her nose. “He may have mentioned it the other day.”
Of course.
“We should do facials tomorrow. You know, get you all ready for your night out.”
I’m not sure what it says about me that she’s more invested in this than I am.
“Sure. Why not.” I guess I am very agreeable tonight.
