Page 50 of Something to Prove

My question snapped him out of his reverie.

“Yeah, I’m good. Eat up. Oh, and check the bag for almond cookies. I love those things.”

I pulled out two plastic-wrapped cookies and handed one over. “By the way, you look like both of your parents. But maybe a smidge more like your dad.”

Ty opened the wrapper and plucked the almond off the top. “Everyone says that. I’ll take it as a compliment. My dad is pretty damn cool. So’s my mom. She’s scary perceptive too. I swear she was trying to read my mind tonight. I think she knows I have a crush on you.”

I widened my eyes, my mouth full of rice. I chewed thoroughly, stirring the contents to give my hands something to do. “Do you?”

“Super mild. I can shake it, so don’t worry…I won’t get weird or clingy.”

I snickered. “And people say I’m an odd duck.”

“No, people think you’re cool.” Ty chomped half his cookie, his eyes alight with mischief.

“Then I’ve fooled them all.” I cackled like a demented witch, complete with a “mwahaha.”

“Okay, I take that back. You’rea geek.”

“True. I work, I study, I read, I watchParks and RecandGilmore Girlsreruns and occasionally binge old rom-coms that make me teary-eyed. And I really don’t go out much.”

“That’s not true. I saw you at the Tavern the night you…” He made a face.

“Witnessed a blowjob in progress?” I offered.

“Yeah, that.”

I shot a glance across the table, not bothering to hide my amusement. “That was an assignment. I get a ton of invitations to cover college rock bands. It’s not my strength by any means, but if I can tie in a little personal background info, even the worst music becomes somewhat palatable. People love getting clandestine glimpses into other people’s lives. It’s why reality television is so popular.”

“Okay, but are you saying you wouldn’t go on your own to hang out with friends, have a few beers, and flirt with cute guys at the bar?”

My nose twitched with distaste. “I don’t like beer, I don’t flirt, and I don’t have a lot of friends. The ones I have would rather not frequent establishments like the Tavern. I took the band photos on my cell that night because Robin refused to join me.”

Ty chuckled. “So where do you like to go when you’re not chasing down a story?”

“Nowhere. I like being home.”

“I get that, but do you have a favorite restaurant or store that you go to becauseyoupersonally love the food or the merch?”

“Well…no.” I furrowed my brow. “I’m not explaining this well. I enjoy all sorts of restaurants, boutiques, etcetera. However, I rarely go out on my own just for the heck of it. I’m usually working, and even if I’m not, I’m treated more like a foodcritic they want to impress than someone who’s dining out just to grab a bite to eat. I can’t complain, but?—”

“You’re doing it wrong,” Ty chided.

“What do you mean?”

“Hockey players get the red-carpet treatment too, you know. Free meals, free coffees, milkshakes and fries on the house. It’s how the community thanks us for representing the town. Sweet, right? It’s the same for you.What’s New, Smithton?represents Smithton, but you still get to be you, Red. This is your final year of college. You’re allowed to have fun, you know. Go to the parties, get shitfaced, have all the sex and—” He growled, knitting his forehead fiercely. “Never mind that last one. I don’t think you should have sex with anyone else. Just me. Unless…you want to.”

“I don’t.”

Ty met my gaze, tipping his chin and smiling almost…shyly. “Good. Me either. But that wasn’t what I was talking about.”

“Whatareyou talking about?”

He froze for a beat, his eyes blown wide as his nostrils flared. “I think we should go out. Together. We could get pizza or something like that. If you want.”

I didn’t respond right away. I had a feeling I knew what he was saying, but it wasn’t what we were supposed to be doing. “Are you…asking me…on a date?”

Ty’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. He rolled his eyes, scoffed, and made a small production of studying the colorful mugs on the open shelf above the sink. I half expected him to jump up, suddenly anxious to get to Gus’s party and to strike the past five minutes of conversation from the record.