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He’s smiling at me, amused.

“Well, bring him too. The more the merrier. We can meet at Le Pigeon at seven. My treat. See you then!” Mabel hangs up before I can get any other words out of my mouth.

As I put my phone down, I send Sean the meanest glare I can. “That was Graham’s mom,” I snap icily.

His smile falls immediately.

“We are now both going out to dinner with her tonight. I hope you’re happy.”

◆◆◆

We arrive at Le Pigeon, and I suddenly feel over-dressed. I’m wearing a skin-tight black dress with matching heels. Sean said I looked beautiful, but now I feel like an idiot. Every other person in the restaurant has on blouses and jeans, a few are in sweaters. You’d think I was a typical tourist who didn’t know how to dress.

Sean is wearing slacks and a button up, but he has the sleeves rolled up, so he looks more relaxed than I do. I push the sides of my dress down, making sure it’s not too short.

I feel my pulse quicken as we’re sat at our table in the back corner. Mabel isn’t here yet.

Sean sits next to me in the booth.

We graze the menu, every item over thirty dollars. It has all the French meals you can think of with names I can’t pronounce.

I don’t exactly have an appetite. I’ll probably just order a salad. I know I can pronounce Caesar.

“This is so weird,” Sean says, moving uncomfortably in his seat.

“Hey, I shushed you for a reason. You should have kept your mouth shut, funny guy.”

“Did I already tell you how amazing you look?”

“Yes, twice.” I smile, mesmerized by his parted lips.

I was saving this dress for Maggie’s party, but I guess I’ll have to find something new while we hit the city tomorrow. I just knew I had to wear something other than jeans in front of Mabel. She always looks classy.

The way Sean is looking at me—reminds me of how I never got the chance to tell him how I felt the night he helped me paint.

This last week, there was never a good moment to do so either. Every part of me wanted to chase after him that night, but I was just frozen. Right now, sitting next to him, all I want to do is watch his reaction when I tell him that I still want him.

To actually voice it to him. Words normally get the best of me, and he isn’t clueless to that fact.

“When you left the other night after you said you know…” I pause to ensure he’s listening. “That you still loved me…”

Sean closes his eyes and shakes his head, shamefaced.

“Again, I’m sorry I told you like that. It was too forward, I know. I have a problem with that involving you. I don’t want there to be any tension between us. I was just feeling it in the moment, your eyes were just insanely green and—”

“No, it’s okay.” I stop him from babbling any longer. “Because I wanted to tell you that I—”

“Billie!” Mabel calls from a few feet away, interrupting.

It takes a moment for me to break from Sean’s curious eyes.

“Mabel, hi!” I greet her, standing up and giving her a hug.

Sean’s eyes are stuck on me, his jaw slung open. He knew I was going to confess, but now it’ll have to wait.

“Mabel, this is Sean.” I place my hand on his shoulder, attempting to divert his attention and acknowledge Mabel.

Sean stands up, shaking his head softly to focus. His hand glides up my back as he places his arm around my hip.