Page 72 of Next Time We'll Fall

“Do you want to go on a date with me?”

“What?”

My jaw drops. My heart is racing as I stare at him. He looks so boyishly good-looking, standing there awkwardly, and I wonder if I’m dreaming.

“What did you just say?”

“I asked if you’d like to maybe go on a date with me or something.” He looks nervous. “I mean, I know maybe this should have been asked previously, but, you know … I’m asking you now.”

“You’re asking me to go on a date with you?”

“Yeah. And not to my bedroom or to your bedroom or anything like that,” he says quickly. “Like a real date.”

“You’re asking me on a real date.” I can’t help but feel light and giddy.

“Well? Is it a yes or a no?”

“I guess.” I shrug. “When?”

“What are you doing right now?” he says softly.

“I’m going home.”

“So, what if you don’t go home and we go on a date?”

“I would, but Sage and Rosie haven’t seen me all day.”

“Call them,” he says. “See if they mind.”

“No, because, of course, they’ll tell me no, and I don’t want to be a bad host. They’re my cousins, and I love them, and I want to spend time with them.”

“I’m sorry. I’m being selfish. Of course you do,” he says, stepping back. “Just let me know when you’re free, and if you decide that you do actually want to go on a date sometime, you can call me and I’ll be there.”

“Rafe.” I walk over and touch his arm. It’s hard to ignore just how sincere he sounds.

He turns to me, his blue eyes looking slightly anxious, and I realize that he feels like I’ve made an excuse.

“I want to go on a date with you,” I say, nodding. “I think it would be fun. But hold on.”

I grab my phone and smile as he just stands there.

Sage answers the phone almost immediately.

“Hey! I just wanted to see what you girls are up to tonight.”

“Oh, we’re going clubbing,” Sage says. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I was just going to come home, but I just saw Rafe and he?—”

“Did he ask you on a date?” Sage says loudly.

I pause. “Wait … how did you know?”

“Just had a feeling. Go enjoy yourself and be prepared to tell us all about it tonight or tomorrow morning, depending on when you get in.”

“But—”

“Have fun, Juniper.” She hangs up the phone.