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“But?” I ask as my heart sinks. I refuse to tear my gaze away from the grimy, sticky table top.
“No buts. Do you want to do it again sometime?”
“The sex?” I blurt out, making Cove laugh. I look up as a load of heads turn our way and my face flames. I bury my head in my hands until I’m no longer on fire with embarrassment.
“I meant the date. But I wouldn’t say no tothe sexagain if it was on the table.”
“You want to have the sex on the table? I think they might ask us to leave.” I give him a nervous smile.
“Doesn’t have to bethistable.”
“I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.” I shake my head but I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “I guess we’d have to go on another date and see.”
Cove’s eyes twinkle. They’re so different from the professor’s moody, dark ones. I much prefer a little sparkle to the constant storm.
Ugh why am I thinking about the professor’s eyes right now? If I’m going to compare Cove’s sparkle to anyone’s it should be Bhodi’s slate grey stare. Or the doctor’s brilliant forest green gaze.
Shit. What’s wrong with me?
“Sounds good to me. When?”
“Soon?” I ask, biting my bottom lip to keep from squealing with genuine excitement. Whatever happened last night, I want another date with Cove, truly.
“Deal.”
“Is that the only reason you looked for me? To ask me out again?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you had a good time last night.”
“I did.” I hesitate, my smile falling from my lips. I take a deep breath. This is it. The perfectinthat I need.
“But?”
“But. Never mind.” I quickly chicken out. Why can’t I be as brave with Cove as I am with the professor? Maybe because Cove never makes me angry. Although that’s definitely a good thing.
“Hey,” Cove says gently, taking my hand in his and staring into my eyes with concern. “Don’t do that. You can tell me anything. No judgement.”
He says that now. But I think if he knew whatIthink happened last night, he’d judge me, hard, before running for the hills.
“Okay.” I sigh again and drop my voice to a whisper. “What happened last night?”
“Aside fromthe sex?” Cove teases back, his whisper matching mine.
“Be serious.”
“Okay.” The laughter dies from his face and he gives me his full attention. My tummy swoops. No-one ever does that. My parents never did, even Summer doesn’t. “What do you mean? We went out on the boat, watched the fireworks. Had…you know. What more?”
“Did anything…strange happen?” God, how can I ask these questions without sounding odd?
“Strange how?” He cocks his head to the side, considering my words, and I’m immediately distracted by how cute he looks. He’s pure sunshine, even when he’s trying to be serious. It’s warming just being in his presence.
I need to focus.
“Were we attacked?”
“Umm, no.” He sort of half laughs, nervously, and shakes his head. “Did you have a bad dream after I dropped you off or something?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug my shoulders, wishing I’d never said anything. To Coveorthe doctor. “I just remember…it doesn’t matter.”
