Page 87 of The Surprise Play

She’s so quiet, I can’t really hear her.

I give her a second to repeat herself, but I think she’s going into some form of shock, because she’s still gaping at me like I’m crazy.

It makes me laugh as I gather her short little fingers in mine. “Yeah, a date, Satch. It’s this thing where two people who like each other spend time together doing something fun.”

She nods, then gives me a skeptical frown. “Me? You want to go out with me?”

“Why do you look so surprised?” I try not to laugh. “We hang out when we’re tutoring. All I’m asking is that we hang out when you’renottutoring me. Come on, it’ll be fun.”

Biting her lips together, she still looks kind of uncertain,so I give her hand a little shake. “You’re not like any girl I’ve ever gone out with before.” She dips her head and I tip it back up with my finger, encouraging her to look up at me again. “And I’m really digging that.”

Her lips quiver, flirting with a smile that I am desperate to see.

“Come on, Satch. Let me take you out. For dinner. Okay?”

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Her nose wrinkles, her skeptical frown injuring me.

“Okay, either you’re trying to let me down easy or?—”

“No,” she quickly cuts me off, her cheeks flaring bright pink. “I want to go. I just want to make sure that you actually want to go and you’re not just being nice to me.”

“Satch.” I lightly laugh out her name, taking both her hands in mine. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want to. Just like I wouldn’t have kissed you back there if I hadn’t wanted to.”

“Oh.” She lets out a shy little laugh that makes my chest ping.

I can’t help leaning toward her, whispering against her lips, “I kinda like you, too, and I’m really sure I want to take you on this date. All you’ve got to do is say yes.”

I can sense her lips curling into a smile just before she gives me a chaste peck on the lips and proceeds to make my fucking day.

CHAPTER 26

ELIZABETH

I can’t believe I said yes.

What was I thinking?

The word just slipped out, and the delighted smile on Wily’s face was impossible to deny. I couldn’t turn around and change my mind.

So here I am, twenty-four hours later, in a right panic while I try to figure out what to wear.

He’ll be here in fifteen minutes, and I’m still standing in my underwear, staring at my open closet and feeling at an absolute loss.

I should bail.

Don’t you dare!

But what if Jade finds out?

I close my eyes, cursing myself for thinking about her.

She’s not my boss, and she can’t tell me what to do.

I can go out with Wily if I want to!

Fear rips through me, one quick swipe that makes me clutch my belly and give my soft flesh a squeeze.

You’re going.