Page 71 of Open Net

Her eyebrows drew together. “Is this prom?”

He shrugged. “If you want it to be. I know I seem desperate, but I am. Chloe will make my life miserable if I don’t have a date, or worse, she’ll set me up with someone.” He cringed. “You seem like a nice, normal person.”

He looked to me for confirmation and I nodded.

“See,” he said, “you’re all I’ve got. I don’t know any other women to ask.”

Reese scoffed and Grant glared at him. Addison watched their interaction with skepticism written on her face.

“Please, Addison,” Grant said. “You’re beautiful and I would be honored if you would allow me to be your date.”

She seemed to soften immediately. “Okay.”

Grant pumped his fist and wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you.”

She blushed and pulled out of his embrace. “No limo, but I do expect the food to be excellent. If not, you owe me a burger afterward.”

His eyes lit up. “A woman after my own heart.”

I wanted to join them in their talk of plans, but someone tapped my arm. I turned to see a very humble Olli. Jackson was snuggled against his chest and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that image filled my heart to near bursting.

“Can I talk to you?” he asked.

I followed him down the hall a bit, out of earshot of the rest of the group.

He sighed, finally lifting his gaze from the floor and meeting my eyes. “I’m an idiot, Emma. In so many ways.”

I couldn’t disagree, so I remained silent.

“It’s not that I expected you to come with me to the gala with me asking, and it’s not that I don’t want you to be my date, but…” He trailed off.

I didn't know what to say. I had no idea how he was going to finish that sentence.

“I was too ashamed to ask you,” he continued. “I didn’t feel worthy of you or your time. I didn't want to burden you anymore than I already have.”

I understood what he meant, and as much as it hurt that he hadn’t come to me sooner I knew he was being honest. We were in an awkward position. Neither of us knew what to do. We were figuring this out together.

As much as I didn’t want to go and face the media and public, I knew I had to. For us. He was trying lately, and I wasn’t going to turn him down. We had to each make sacrifices to make us work.

“So?” I said.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “So?”

“Are you going to ask me or keep giving me reasons why you haven’t?”

He smiled and stared down at our son. “Your mom is making this hard on your daddy.”

I smiled too and waited. He took a deep breath and gazed deep into my eyes. “Will you please be my date to the gala, Emma?”

I pretended to think about it. “Well, I did just force Addison to go, so it would be cruel of me to skip out on her.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Is that the only reason?”

I hesitated. “No, Olli. I want to go with you.”

His smile grew, reaching his eyes. “I know this doesn’t mean anything more than one night.”

“You’re correct,” I interrupted.