Page 24 of Endeavor

He nearly chokes on his drink. “You brought your own chopsticks?”

“Always,” I say with my hand to my chest, feigning shock. I wink as I pick up a gyoza and pop it in my mouth. I’m fully aware Grady is watching me, so I slowly pull the chopsticks out and then lick the end of one. I notice he squirms in his seat, and I may take a little, OK, a lot of pride in my abilities with the chopstick and my abilities to make a grown man squirm.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I add with a smirk as I grab my water.

With that he starts laughing, really laughing and I grin as I scoot the plate toward him. “Try it, they’re really good.”

He takes his wooden chopsticks and digs into the appetizer.

I’m surprised how easily our conversation begins to flow from there. He asks me about my time in Japan and I tell him about my adventures there. I ask him if he’s been there and he says no. He talks about visiting Beijing, China, and Phuket, Thailand, which are the only two places he’s been in Asia. We fall into a debate about the best places to visit, and by the end of the meal, I’m actually surprised that I like him, like really like him.

“Come on, let’s go for a drive,” he says after we finish.

I look down at my phone. “I…it’s sort of late and I hate to be a party pooper, but I do need to get some studying done.”

“Just for an hour. I want to show you something.”

He drives for about twenty minutes and stops at a park. “Come on,” he says, grabbing my hand.

“But it’s dark…” I reply, stopping in my tracks as I get out of the car.

He turns his phone’s light on and puts a hand on my back. “Live a little.”

“Uh, I like living, that’s sort of the concern.”

“Please,” he asks with a puppy dog face.

I pull my keys out of my purse and place one in between each finger.

“Really?” he asks.

I shrug. “At least I’ll go out with a fight.”

He laughs and I follow him. He goes around the entrance and helps me up and over a short wall.

“We’re breaking and entering, aren’t we?” I ask as I brush some dirt off my pants.

“Come on.” He takes my hand in his and gives it a tug. I sigh and follow him, letting him keep my hand tucked in his.

After twenty minutes of walking up a trail, I stop.

“How much farther?”

He stops and stares down at me. “I know you need to study, but do you trust me?”

I cock my head to one side and study him for a long moment. “Fuck it. Yeah, I guess I do.”

He laughs. “OK,” he says slowly, “that doesn’t sound too convincing, but I’ll take it since you met the asshole Grady first.”

He offers me his hand again and I slowly accept it. We don’t say another word to each other as we climb up the hill. I’m glad I wore comfy shoes tonight. It takes us a while. But as the cityscape of Los Angeles comes into view, I know why he made me come up here.

“Oh wow,” I murmur as I look out on the city where I now live. I haven’t explored much since I arrived in August. I just didn’t have time. I’ve gone to a few places, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory, the Tar Pits, and Disneyland, but that’s it. Most weekends I spend studying, and I try to get home for the holiday breaks.

I don’t say another word as I stand perfectly still and survey the city. It’s a cool and clear night and the city lights look amazing. I wrap my arms around myself to fight the chill in the air, but all too soon, I’m engulfed by warmth as Grady comes to stand behind me, wrapping his long arms around my shoulders.

“I told you it would be worth it,” he whispers in my ear. “Welcome to my Los Angeles.”

“It’s beautiful,” I say.

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