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When he does, he lifts his lips into a crooked smirk “Elaine Melrose Walker, are you attracted to me?”

Our waitress returns with our orders in hand She sets the plates in front of us then walks aithout asking if we need anything else Asher picks up his lobster sandwich, but waits to take a bite until he asks, “Well?”

I drop what’s left of hetti on aze because my cheeks are bound to be red they’re so hot “Don’t ruin the moment, Asher”

“Just answer the question” I hear the sive into temptation I look into those eyes The sarew up Now, at eighteen, I’ve co new slivers of color every chance I get Today, the rich hues have trails of silver

I stare into thethe dryness “What question?”

Asher sotten I huff out an exaggerated groan This is so eo out with me and be my real boyfriend?”

He scoots his chair back Stands Then moves to the open seat next to me I feel my heart everywhere In , so I think whatever he’s about to say is good, but that doesn’t soothe my nerves

“Under one condition”

I s hard, expecting hie the way I dress, or wearto irlfriend title Most days I wear ht, I straightenedI’ve also put on a full face of makeup Foundation Eye shadow and liner Lipstick “What’s that?”

“Go to prom with me” Asher reaches for my hand and I swear thisto ask you, but wasn’t sure how you’d take it since things between us were supposed to be fake”

I don’t have a dress, or shoes, or a hair appointet any of that at the lastwide across my face “Yes!”

“Good” Asher reaches forward and threads his fingers through the hair at the base of my neck He looks me dead in the eye and this tionna kiss me “Because none of this was fake for rade Now that I’ve got you, I’o”

Asher presses his mouth to mine before my brain can analyze what he said He partsfrom my chair into his lap I wrapdeeper into the kiss Asher’s erous, a hot sear of te it too easy to forget where we are We feel right like this, but I need to rereat as the last feeeks were, if we rush things, it could ruin theh otten

Someone clears their throat and we’re forced to break away I fight the urge to yell at whoever interrupted us, but remember we are at a restaurant and look up at the person with a s styrofoam containers Her cheeks are red as she asks, “Do you want to finish everything here or take it to go?”

“Here,” Asher says, applying a little pressure to my hip