Page 310 of Faking the Goal

"Oh my gosh." I grip the phone tighter. "Is Harumi okay?"

Another gentle chuckle rumbles through the speaker.

"Yeah, she's okay. I think she just needs help with something."

Relief washes over me so quickly that I have to laugh at myself.

"Don't scare me like that."

"I'm sorry." I can practically picture the guilty smile on his face. "I really am. I know we already had plans."

"It's okay." I smile to myself as I wander toward the front window. "Actually... why don't we just meet at the restaurant? That way you don't have to drive all the way here and then all the way back."

He doesn't answer immediately.

When he finally does, it's only one word.

"No."

A smile tugs at my lips.

"Ken-chan..."

"I told you I'd pick you up."

"And I'm telling you it's completely unnecessary and a hassle on your part. I'll just drive straight to the restaurant."

"It's not a hassle."

"But it is."

"I don't care."

I can't help laughing because, honestly, I should've known exactly how this conversation was going to go.

"You'll just waste time driving back and forth."

"Trouble—"

"No more buts." I cut him off before he can protest. "Go help your mom. I'll meet you there."

A quiet sigh crackles through the speaker.

"...Stubborn woman."

I giggle.

"So I've been told." I bite back another smile before adding, "But you like me anyway."

"That I do."

The words come so naturally, so matter-of-factly, that they completely catch me off guard.

My knees actually wobble.

Three words.

That's all it takes for my entire nervous system to short-circuit?