Page 45 of I Can't Help It

“Ya know,” he drawls, swinging our clasped hands, “I’ve wondered for a while what a date with you would be like.”

I stretch my neck to see his face. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he echoes softly. “I’m…I’m glad it’s finally happening.”

And just like that, the destroyed part of my soul is put back together and it’s better than ever. “Me too. I’m glad you said yes.”

“I couldn’t say no.”

I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but his eyes slip to my mouth, and my heart beats a little faster.

Is he thinking about how he turned down kissing me? Does he wish he hadn’t?

I wish he hadn’t.

Luke clears his throat before glancing around. “So, we’re not visiting a haunted house. Is this local favorite some kind of store?”

“Nope, it’s not a store.”

He proceeds to guess another three times.

A park. A bar. A cave.

“A cave?” I laugh as we near Town Hall. “What made you guess a cave?”

“I don’t know, the idea just came to me.”

“Well, all of those guesses were wrong,” I say, leading him in what I hope is the right direction. “But I think we’re close to the spot.”

Sure enough, a gazebo nestled between two trees comes into view. There’s nothing overly fancy about it, but lights hang around the roof’s trim, causing the whole area to possess a warm, amber glow. The ambience is peaceful, inviting, and it oozes romance.

It’s perfect.

Thank you, Cassie.

“Oh wow,” Luke breathes out, “I can see why it’s a local favorite.”

We step into the gazebo, still holding hands, and I hum my agreement. “I’m glad she suggested it.”

“We’re missing something, though.”

“We are?” My eyebrows crease as he lets go of my hand and steps aside. “What’s missing?”

Besides him holding my hand, obviously.

“Music.” He pulls his phone out before tapping away on it. “Don’t you feel like music should be playing right now?”

I didn’t until he pointed it out. But music does seem fitting.

“Yeah,” I reply as he sets his phone on the railing that goes around the gazebo, “it does.”

“And now that music is playing,” he says once a slow, piano and guitar instrumental begins to fill the air, “maybe we should dance.”

Dude. This gazebo must be magical.

I stare at him in disbelief. “You want to dance with me?”

“Yes.” His voice is achingly tender as he holds out a hand toward me. “I want to dance with you, Ava.”

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