Page 118 of Behind the Bars

Butterflies swirled in my stomach, and my cheeks heated up. “Is that aquestion?”

“No—well, yes…well...” He took a breath. “Will you go on a date with me thisSaturday?”

“What?”

“You can say no. I just, I’m…” He bit his bottom lip, and his hazel eyes met mine. “I’m crazy about you, and I want to take you out on a date, but you can sayno.”

“Saturday is Valentine’s Day,” I toldhim.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and swayed back and forth. “Yes.”

“Are you asking me to be your Valentine, ElliottAdams?”

“I am asking you to be my Valentine, JasmineGreene.”

“Can I dress up?” Ismiled.

“Pleasedo.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

We stood there and stared at one another, smiling like we were sixteen years old again. The butterflies and goose bumps from all those years ago remained, and just like he used to do, Elliott blinked once and said, “Okay, well, goodbye.” Then he hurriedaway.

I walked back inside and sat back down on the couch next toTJ.

“Is everything okay?” heasked.

“Yes.”

“Whathappened?”

My smile stretched. “He asked me out on adate.”

“A date?” TJ exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “Thankyou.”

“Forwhat?”

“For bringing him backhome.”

“It was a mutual thing.” I smiled wide. “He brought me back,too.”

* * *

On Saturday,Elliott picked me up from my apartment, and like the overprotective father he was, Ray was standing right next to me, staring him down. “Are you sure I can’t drive you two to your date like I did back then,Snow?”

I smirked. “I think we’ll pass on that this timearound.”

“Okay, but if he gets handsy…” hewarned.

My gosh, I hope hedoes.

“Don’t worry,” Elliott said, staring up at the sky. “I won’t even look ather.”

“Good,” Ray said approvingly. “That’s a solidplan.”

“Oh, also, your new song ‘Walker’s East’ is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard in my life,” Elliott toldhim.

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