Page 50 of Wildest Dream

"Me neither. We'll stay up as late as we can."

"Where did you park?" I asked.

"One more block," he said. "Up there on the right."

"What did you think about the video?"

"I liked it. You did amazing."

"But?"

"But what?" he said.

"You tell me. You sounded like you wanted to saybutat the end of the compliment."

"No, it's, just that. You're beautiful, and my first thought was that I… it's stupid, and I don't really feel like this, but what I thought was that I wish you would only do that for me. But I know it's not reasonable for me to even… you're amazing, Ari. You were amazing out there."

"I'll only do it for you from now on," I said easily. "That's not really a part of my life anymore. I've been doing it less and less, anyway. It would not hurt me at all to stop taking these jobs. I can teach and dance behind the scenes and be perfectly happy."

"I don't want to ask you to step out of the spotlight. That seems like an insecure thing for me to do."

"It's not," I assured him.

"Well, then quit if it's up to me."

I could see that he was being lighthearted about it, but I wanted him to demand that I never dance for anyone but him.

"Ari, I bought you something," he added.

I had been thinking about other things, and not at all expecting him to say that. "What is it?" I asked. "You shouldn't have."

"It's jewelry, and I wanted to."

"You bought me jewelry?"

"Yes, I did. And some candy."

"What kind of candy?" I asked.

We made our way to the car by then and I peered inside as Isaac reached out and opened the door for me. "I bought a few things. It was a Whole Foods, so they didn't have many sour options, at least not what I saw. But I got a couple of different things I think you'll like."

I wanted to ask about the jewelry but I didn't. I sat in the passenger seat and watched as Isaac walked around the back of the car and made his way to the driver's side.

My heart was beating fast, and I tried to convince myself that the jewelry was something other than an engagement ring. In an effort to not get my own hopes up, I told myself it was probably a piece of macramé hippie jewelry he picked up at Whole Foods, for which I would be thankful.

Isaac got settled in his seat. I had not taken my eyes off of him the whole time. He was young and masculine and fit, and I loved the way he looked. But he was so much more than that. Isaac's personality was what made him the best. He would talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere, and he would make friends with anyone no matter who they were. I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life.

"I got you a promise ring," he said, reading my mind.

I blinked at him from across the console. "Did you really?"

"Yes, I left here a little while ago, and I was feeling desperate for everyone to know you were my girl, and the jewelry store was right there, and the lady recommended a promise ring, so…"

He reached into the compartment in the door and came up with a small box.

"Should I open it?" I asked.

Isaac nodded, and I took a minute to unwrap it. I pulled it out of the box and put it on. It looked like a smaller version of a wedding ring, and I instantly slid it onto my left hand.

---