Page 90 of Take the Plunge

As he drags me out of the restaurant, I don’t argue, although I am confused.

“Don’t you have to talk to your tutor tomorrow? I didn’t know you have a field trip,” I say as we walk down the street. It’s a lot quieter now.

“That’s because I don’t.”

I frown.

“What the heck was up with you?” Kian asks. “You were away with the fairies most of the evening, and you spent at least an hour glowering at your pizza, not saying a word.”

“An hour?”

“Yes. And what was all that stuff about you being selfish and possessive?” He pulls me to a halt and strokes the back of my hand. “Was it too much?”

I blink.

“The double date. Being seen with a guy in public.” He lessens his grip a little but doesn’t let go. “I’ll understand if it was too much, too soon.” He swings my hand. “I’d understand if this is too much, too soon.” He pauses, giving me a chance to pull my hand away.

I don’t.

“I need you to talk to me, Jett. I need to know what’s going on in that head of yours. I thought grumpy Jett was a thing of the past, but he was back in full force this evening. I mean, grumpy Jett is pretty darn sexy, but if there’s something wrong, I’d like to know so I can help.”

I cup his cheek with my free hand. He presses into my touch, half closing his eyes.

“All right. But before I say anything, I need you to know it’s my problem, and I’ll deal with it.”

Kian replies with a soft smile. “In case it escaped your notice, we’re a couple, Jett. That means we deal with things together.”

“Not this time.”

He furrows his brow. “Well, now you’ve got me worried. Talk.”

Chapter20

Kian

“I don’t want you to go abroad for six weeks.” Jett pulls away from me and clenches his hands. His shoulders are hunched, his teeth are gritted, and his eyes are half-closed in anguish. “I told you I’m being selfish.” He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

I close the gap between us and gather his left fist in my hands. I stroke, my touch gentle and hopefully reassuring. Little by little, his hand relaxes until I can prise his fingers open and thread mine through his. I repeat the process with his other fist, although only with one hand, until we’re standing, facing each other, fingers intertwined. His expression is still miserable; his shoulders are still hunched and tense.

“Thank you for telling me.”

He makes a strangled noise deep in his throat. “Why are you thanking me? I don’t want to guilt you into staying.”

“Jett.”

He lifts his head.

“You’re not going to guilt me into doing anything I don’t want to. I want to know how you’re feeling, so thank you for telling me.” I gesture with my head in the direction we’ve come from. “Rufus was an arse for bringing it up over and over. But as I told him, I haven’t submitted my proposal yet. I still don’t know where I’m going. Spain is only one place I’ve been thinking about.”

“Why haven’t you submitted your proposal yet?”

“Honestly?”

Jett nods.

“I’ve been putting it off.”

“Why?”