Page 41 of What Comes After

“She was the world to me.”

“I know, but you can’t spend your entire life chasing after a ghost.”

“I know that,” I grumble.

“Do you?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then prove it. Ask Peyton out on a date.”

“What?” I choke out a laugh.

“You heard me. Ask her out. What do you have to lose?”

“I’m not asking her on a date.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can barely talk to her when we don’t have a choice but to be around each other. What makes you think I could carry on a conversation for an entire evening when it’s just her and I?”

“You’re a pretty charming guy. I think you’ll figure it out.”

“Still, not happening. At least not yet.”

“Not yet.” She smiles. “That’s not a no.”

“Can we please talk about something else?”

“Fine.” She crinkles her nose. “But this isn’t over,” she warns.

“Like I didn’t already know that much.” I chuckle, lifting my beer bottle to my lips.

---