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Jackson narrows his eyes and strokes his chin as if deep in thought. “Olive Garden, huh? I hear they have excellent food.”

“The best in town, sir,” Gerard confirms. “And their breadsticks are to die for.”

Drew gasps and places a hand over his heart as he bats his eyelashes at Jackson. “Oh, breadsticks! Honey, remember when we shared a breadstick onourfirst date?”

Jackson’s façade cracks for a split second. “How could I forget, sweet cheeks? It was love at first bite.”

Drew smirks and turns his attention back to Gerard. “But what aboutafterdinner?”

“After dinner, I plan to drive Elliot home and give him a chaste kiss goodnight.”

My heart swells at his words. He’s thought this through, hasn’t he? It’s the little things that make me realize how attentive and considerate Gerard truly is.

Jackson and Drew exchange a glance, communicating silently. It’s freaky how they can do that after only knowing each other for a short time. But then again, I haven’t known Gerard for much longer, and I’m falling for him faster than a skydiver.

After a moment, they both nod, and Jackson fixes Gerard with a stern expression that’s discredited by the twinkle in his eye. “Alright, we approve. But we expect you to have our boy home by midnight. And no funny business, you hear?”

“Yes, don’t do anything I would do,” Drew adds.

Gerard places a hand over his heart. “I swear on my hockey stick, sirs. Elliot will be treated with the utmost respect and be returned to you safe and sound.”

“Oh, he better be. Because if we find out you’ve taken advantage of our precious little bee…” Drew lets the unspoken threat hang in the air.

I roll my eyes. These idiots. They’re ridiculous and overprotective, but I kind of love them for it.

Finally, Jackson and Drew step aside, allowing Gerard to enter the room. He grins as he takes in my exasperated state.“You ready to go, bumblebee?”

I glance at Jackson and Drew. I can’t speak for Drew, but I know, without a doubt, Jackson is beyond excited to see me going on a date. I also know I’ll be grilled about what happened first thing tomorrow morning.

Gerard’s eyes travel appreciatively over my outfit. I’m wearing a polo shirt Sarah bought me when I told her I didn’t have anything worthy of a first date and a pair of black jeans. I even attempted to style my hair, to minimal success.

I know I don’t hold a candle to Gerard’s effortless handsomeness. He could be the cover model of aGQmagazine with his well-defined features and confident swagger. Meanwhile, I’m over here, a scrub in comparison.

Gerard bites his plump bottom lip, worrying it between his bright white teeth, and that one small action is enough to set my soul on fire. He’s undressing me with his eyes, peeling back all the layers of self-doubt and insecurity to see the real me underneath. The me that he finds more than satisfactory, if how wide his pupils get is any indication.

The butterflies in my stomach have morphed from harbingers of doom into tiny little cheerleaders urging me to seize this opportunity for all it’s worth. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

I shiver when Gerard takes my hand and leads me out of the room. This is the first time we’ve ever held hands, and I hope it’snot the last.

His long, thick fingers interlock perfectly with my slim, delicate ones. The warmth of his palm soothes me from the inside out. But it’s him gently stroking my knuckles with his thumb that has my heart doing somersaults.

That simple caress, whisper-soft yet searing, tells me all I need to know. He wants this night to go well as badly as I do.

Gerard peers down at me and flashes a million-dollar smile. “I promise tonight will be amazing.”

And I believe him.

26

GERARD

It’s happening. My first date with Elliot. The same Elliot who’s been driving me crazy with his quick wit, his guarded smiles, and those penetrating eyes that see through my tough hockey player exterior.

I’ve been on a few dates before, but this one is different. Special. And I don’t want to do anything that will screw it up.

Luckily, I have a secret weapon—Lily. That girl has made me sit through a gazillion rom-coms, and let me tell you, I’ve learned at least a thing or two.

First off, opening doors is key. Car doors, restaurant doors, house doors—it doesn’t matter. It’s a classic, chivalrous move that never goes out of style. So, as we approach Betsy, I rush ahead to grab the passenger door handle, even going so far as to give a small bow before I swing it open for Elliot. He eyes me dubiously, but I can tell he’s at least somewhat charmed.One point for Gunnarson the Great.