Claire’s POV 

I was at peace with my decision to avoid Jason. My heart wanted to be with Jason, but I could control the longing in my heart. I planned to submerge myself in my studies and I knew Jason would eventually lose his temporary interest in me and leave. It was Friday evening and aunt Emily went grocery shopping with her friends at the neighborhood shopping mart. She didn’t want my help, as it was her time out. They would have dinner at the nearby restaurant and come home. I could heat the leftovers from lunch and eat them for dinner, so I didn’t bother with cooking. I just sat down curled up in my bed reading the latest issue of the hair and makeup magazine. 

A sudden noise downstairs alerted my attention. Aunt Emily couldn’t have returned so early since she just left half an hour ago. I got up to inspect but before I could reach my door; it was flung open and a very disturbed and distressed Jason strode in, looking extremely annoyed with me. Now, what had I done? He approached me in two strides before I could think of a way to escape and stopped inches away from me, so close that I forgot to breathe.

“Why are you avoiding me, Claire?” he asked, his hands gripping me by my arms in a deathly hold. 

“I’ve been busy with college,” I said, looking down, avoiding his intense stare. 

“Liar! Do you think I’m blind? I know that you’re avoiding me and I won’t leave unless you tell me the reason,” he barked, his face grim and determined. I gaped at him wordlessly, not knowing what reason to give him.

“Umm, I was actually busy, Jason. Look, I am socially awkward and hardly go out. I am this way and it’s normal for me. There’s no reason for you to think that I am avoiding you,” I told him, but he looked unconvinced.

“I see! Let’s go,” he said, releasing my arms. I gaped at him with surprise. Where did he want me to go?

“Where?” I squeaked, looking around for an excuse.

“Relax! it’s just dinner and we could get to know each other better,” he said, his face easing into a charming smile. Was he bipolar or what? 

“No, I can’t go out with you without Aunt Emily’s permission. She’ll be mad at me,” I pointed out. I escaped home because of the guys pursuing me like crazy and here I was in the same predicament. If dad knew, he would come all the way here and drag me home with him. A shudder went down my body at the thought. 

“Aunt Emily wouldn’t mind. Come on, let’s go,” he coaxed me, but I stood like a statue, unable to budge. 

“Dad wouldn’t approve of me going out with boys,” I finally told him while my face flushed with embarrassment. He was taken aback for a while, but to my surprise, instead of getting angry, he chuckled.

“I’m not a boy, Claire. I’m a grown man and I don’t think Uncle Nate would mind me taking you out to dinner. Do you want me to call him if you’re in doubt?” he asked, leaning to my level and gazing into my eyes. His beautiful, probing eyes took my breath away, and I gazed into them, too hypnotized to move. 

“Or we could have a dinner date here if you want to!” he suggested softly while I gasped with shock. Did I hear him correctly? Did he say dinner date?

“No, I’d rather have dinner somewhere else than a date at home,” I protested and he laughed as if he knew my answer already.

“Fine then, let’s go,” he said, walking towards the door. I glanced down at my clothes. I couldn’t go out in these? 

“Wait for five minutes. I’ll just change in a jiffy!” I told him and he smiled.

“Sure! Take your time,” he said, going down. I closed my door to change but couldn’t stop my heart from racing faster and faster. I chose a pretty lilac dress with a plunging neckline and a figure-hugging bodice that always fetched me compliments whenever I wore it. Brushing my hair, I clipped on small diamond studs to my ears and sprayed a whiff of perfume. I applied a little make-up and was ready in five minutes. I knew I looked mature and big, a perfect match for Jason. Only if he would ever notice!

I had never taken so much pain to dress up as I did tonight, but then it’s not every day that your crush asks you out!

I went down with my heart thumping loudly in my chest. Would Jason approve of my look? Would he notice I had actually grown up for him? The song he sang for the woman he loved rang in my ears and I felt jealous. Why was he taking me to dinner when he loved someone else? Did he still see me as a little girl?

Jason looked up, seeing me alight, and his eyes checked me out, widening a little. It gave me immense satisfaction to see that the transformation surprised him. Was I overdressed?

He stood up, his jaws dropped to the floor while his wide eyes looked at me with a strange expression I couldn’t decipher. “You really have grown up, Claire. This calls for a celebration, a special date. Don’t you think so?” he asked, slowly approaching me. His words left me breathless. Was he taking me out on a date? I was excited beyond words. I had heard my brothers going out on dates, but I hadn’t been as lucky as they were.

I nodded, not knowing what else to say. Jason was a tease and most of the time, he left me dumbfounded. It was more so when I was younger, but now I knew how to answer him. He led me out of the house and locked the door, leading me down the paved pathway toward the streets. I gasped, realizing that I hadn’t taken the house keys with me. Aunt Emily would be furious with me! 

“What happened?” he asked, seeing me stop dead in my tracks.

“I forgot the keys at home!” I said, running back, but he caught my hand to stop me.

“I have a duplicate set of keys to the house. Don’t worry,” he said with a smile, and I sighed with relief.

I noticed he didn’t take his car out, but grabbed my hand and walked towards the main road. “Where are we going?” I asked curiously.

“There’s a new restaurant round the corner. They specialize in Mexican food. Is it still your favorite?” he asked, smiling seeing the surprised look on my face.

“How do you know I like Mexican food?” I couldn’t help but blurt out. As far as I remembered, he hardly interacted with me. Jason chuckled, tightening his hold on my hand. 

“I know everything about you,” he said, his eyes twinkling under the moonlight. His words left me breathless and hope filled my heart.

“How?” I breathed, staring at the gorgeous man beside me. My crush, my love! Jason! Could I hope?