Chapter 9 – The Big Reveal #3
It was weird how much we knew about each other. “Only because I’m starving.” I took a bite and moaned around my fork.
“I bet you’re really good at third base stuff.”
It was tempting to throw my water at him. “Eat your food.”
“I love how bossy you are.”
I ignored him and ate my crab cake at record speed. I wiped my face off with a napkin. “Thank you for dinner...”
“Don’t you want dessert? I hear they have a lovely chocolate cake here.”
“You’re using all the information I’ve given you against me.”
He smiled. “Do you want to sniff me again instead?”
What? “No.”
Leo called the waiter over and ordered a piece of chocolate cake for us to split.
I sighed and stared at him. “Look, this has been a very fun reveal...”
“Would you be more comfortable if we invited Sophie and RJ over here?”
“Um...what?” I’d totally forgotten that they were here. I forced myself not to look a few tables over where they were seated.
“They’re spying on us anyway. We might as well let them hear our conversation.” He went to lift his hand to wave them over.
I grabbed his hand to stop him.
“And now we’re holding hands,” he said.
I pulled back. “Don’t call them over here.” Those dirty spies didn’t deserve to hear our conversation. I didn’t even need to be here if RJ wasn’t a little twat.
“Yeah, I like it just the two of us too. So tell me, Scarlett...how are you planning on breaking the news to Jacob? Or do you want me to do it?”
I knew he was referring to the fact that he thought we were dating now or something.
He was delusional. But I was more concerned about him telling Jacob about this date reveal thing before I got a chance to.
I couldn’t let that happen. They’d see each other tomorrow during the game before I’d get a chance to come clean to Jacob. “Let me do it,” I said.
“Yeah?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll tell him everything. Right after the game tomorrow.” That was the truth. And it would keep Leo’s talkative mouth shut. “Just let me handle all of it.”
“So this is really happening?” He looked so pleased.
“Sure, whatever.”
“We really do have the most unusual conversations. It’s going to be really fun dating you.”
I nodded. And then I realized that I’d definitely just agreed to date him now.
Screw me. How did I always wind up making everything so messy?
Was there a way to undo what I’d just done?
Gah! “This has been lovely,” I said. “But I really need get going. It’s past my bedtime.
” Maybe I could still see Jacob tonight. And confess everything.
Leo laughed. “It’s like...9 o’clock.”
“That late?” I yawned. “Definitely time to slip into some pajamas.”
“Want some company?”
“Are you insane?! My dad is very strict. You should never come to my home. Or get close to me at school.”
“Speaking of your dad, why did he get in a fight with Mr. Halifax at homecoming?”
“Because he thought Mr. Halifax was hitting on me. And actually I thought Mr. Halifax was my kiss thief. It was a whole thing.”
Leo laughed. “You really thought Mr. Halifax was your kiss thief instead of me?”
“Yes, but don’t tease me again about a teacher kink. Because I don’t have one. I’m not my mom.”
“I need so much more information.”
“Do you not know about how my mom and dad got together? That’s a story for a different day.”
“Back to the teacher kink thing...”
“I said don’t!”
He laughed.
The waitress walked over and placed the chocolate cake down on our table.
Well, since I was still here... I grabbed a fork and took a bite.
Leo’s eyes dropped to my lips again.
I quickly took another bite. “Aren’t you going to eat some?” I asked through a mouthful of cake.
“You can feed me some.”
He sounded like Axel. Which also made sense. Because I’d really thought Axel might be my kiss thief. “Feed yourself.”
Leo laughed. “As you wish.” He grabbed a fork and took a bite before it was all gone. “Pretty good.”
“Pretty good? It’s fantastic.”
“If you want a really good cake, I know a place. Maybe for our next date.”
I’d already kind of said I was dating him. So...whatever. “Great. This was fun. But I really gotta go now.” I dropped my fork and stood up. I grabbed Jacob’s varsity jacket. It felt...heavier all of a sudden.
Leo stood up too. I went to walk past him, but in true kiss thief fashion, he grabbed my wrist to stop me.
I gulped. I thought about all the other times he’d grabbed me like this and pulled me into a closet. And kissed me. And touched me. I thought about all the times I fell asleep dreaming of him doing all that and more.
He leaned down to kiss me.
And I turned my head so he’d kiss my cheek.
“You don’t have to be shy now,” he said. “We’ve already done this before.” He lightly touched my chin.
“Next time!” I swatted his hand down. “Caio!” I yelled and then ran away. God, what the hell had I just done?! And why did I suddenly sound like Mr. Nigel?!
I ran out of the restaurant and onto the city street.
I thought the fresh air would help calm me down, but my slow onset heart attack was finally doing me in. I gasped for air.
“So you and Leo are dating now?” RJ asked.
I jumped. I hadn’t realized he’d followed me out. “No!”
“I can read lips, baby doll. You agreed to dump Jacob...”
“The mission is over! Stop calling me that!”
RJ shrugged. “It’s kinda grown on me. I don’t know how to stop. Are you seriously dating Leo now?”
“No!”
“Then why did you say you were?”
I groaned and put my face in my hands. How was I supposed to unravel this mess without getting dumped by my actual boyfriend?
“Ah it’s not Mr. Halifax!” Sophie yelled and threw her arms around me.
Well, at least someone was happy.
“But why did you tell Leo that you’re dating him? What about Jacob?”
Gah!