Page 14 of When Forever Comes

“No, that’s okay. I walked here.”

“I’ll walk you home.”

“It’s not far. I don’t want to put you out.”

He gives me a look. “Walking you home doesn’t put me out. It’s a good excuse to spend more time with you.”

My heart pitter patters at that. I bite my lip. “You don’t need to find an excuse to spend time with me. I enjoy your company.”

He slides his glasses back up his nose. “Really?”

“Does that surprise you?” I ask.

“Yeah, actually.”

“Why?”

“Girls like you don’t typically give guys like me a second glance.” The honesty in his tone humbles me.

“Girls like me?”

“Pretty, popular, a cheerleader.”

“You think I’m pretty?” I ask, batting my eyelashes, trying to make light of the butterflies taking over my insides.

“Pretty isn’t a strong enough word.”

I shake my head and mumble a thank you.

In another surprising act of boldness, West touches my chin and angles my head up so we’re once again eye to eye.

“Let me walk you home.” The gentle command has me nodding my approval.

Our arms swing between us as we make our way to my house. When we reach my front door, I dig my keys out of my purse, but before I have the chance to unlock the door, West stops me. I turn to face him, heart thundering in my chest, waiting for him to make the first move.

My hands are clasped in his as he runs his thumbs over the backs.

“Thank you for hanging out with me tonight.”

“I hope it’s not the last time we hang out,” I say, hoping he hears the sincerity in my words.

His eyebrows raise and his glasses slide down his nose with the action. After releasing one of my hands, he pushes them back into place.

“It won’t be,” he says confidently. He leans forward and tucks back a strand of hair that escaped from my messy bun. It’s the second time he’s touched my hair tonight, and I’m not complaining.

“Good,” I whisper.

He brushes a hand down the side of my face and my breath halts. My eyes fall closed.

“Good night, Olivia,” he whispers, and my eyes flutter open when he releases his hold on me.

Another pang of disappointment hits me, but I ignore it. Instead, I focus on being grateful for my budding friendship with the new mysterious drummer boy.

SIX

WEST

Present

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