When she started heading out to the field for lunch, I read the look on her face crystal clear. She loved the presents, who wouldn't? She loved them, but they weren't going to help. I knew the kind of person she was, it wasn't the gifts, the expenses, or the things I bought her. It was the little things that mattered. 

I could only do those little things if she let me get close to her, and that won't happen unless we're alone. So a date it is. I didn't go outside for lunch that day, I was trying to come up with an idea of what to do. She doesn't like big, expensive, elaborate things. It has to be something small but meaningful. 

On our first date, we had a game and a movie night. So that is out of the question. 

Where can I take her? 

It suddenly clicked in my mind. I grabbed my phone and dialed the number that I needed to. I confirmed my time with them at six o'clock. I finally stood up as the bell rang. 

Back to class then. 

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

I got in my car and drove to her place at around 5:45 even though I told her 6. I couldn't wait. I went over and rang the doorbell. She answered, taking a little longer than usual with a lollipop in her mouth, one shoe on, one off, and completely dressed. 

"You said six o'clock," she said, the lollipop sitting on the inside of her cheek, pushing it out. 

"Take your time," I shrugged. 

She went back up to her room after telling me to wait down here but me being me, I just went up there. I opened the door while she was putting in small hoops for earrings, still one shoe on and the other off. "I thought I said downstairs," she said without turning to look at me. 

"You did," I replied while walking over to her. I stood behind her, staring at her through the mirror. She put her hair down and brushed it through before throwing it up in a high ponytail. She looked really cute. She had jeans on with white sneakers and a yellow top that stopped around her midriff. 

"Are you just gonna stand there and stare?" she asked, holding her hair tie in her mouth. 

"Pretty much," I nodded. 

She rolled her eyes before pulling her hair together and tying it off. She turned to me and sighed, "You are so annoying," she mumbled. 

"Really? Am I?" I asked sarcastically. 

"Where are we going?" she asked while sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling her other shoe on.

"It's a surprise," I said while kneeling in front of her and tying her laces for her. 

"I can do that myself," she said. 

"Never said you can't." I stood and held my hand out. "Shall we?" She grabbed her phone and keys before standing up on her own and turning the lights off, leaving her room. "I guess that works too," I mumbled under my breath. We went downstairs and I got the car door for her before climbing in and starting the car and driving us. 

"Can you tell me where we're going now? We're already on our way, it's not like I can make a run for it," she huffed. 

"We'll be there in like twenty minutes, just deal with it, Alex. You'll like it, I promise," I said, keeping my eyes on the road. She didn't say anything, she just stared out the window probably cursing me for not telling her. I put my free hand on her thigh and she smacked it off almost instantly. 

I sighed before putting it back, my palm facing up as I silently asked her to hold my hand. She hesitated, but she folded her arms across her chest and stared out of the window. So I just put my hand back on her thigh. She clicked her tongue in frustration before grabbing it and locking her hand with mine. I smiled to myself like an idiot while driving. 

We were there soon enough and we climbed out. "Animal Haven?" she asked in confusion. 

"It's an animal shelter and we," I sighed while holding the door open for her to step into the building, "Are playing with puppies." 

She froze. "Are you kidding?" she asked. 

"Nope," I shook my head. 

"We can do that? Just come in here to play with puppies?" 

"I used to volunteer here last summer. I made a special request. Take one if you want," I shrugged. 

"What?" she sputtered. 

"Take a puppy if you want one. It's just some paperwork, they're all ready for adoption on the spot, you just have to fill in an application," I replied as we stepped inside. 

"Are you serious?" she asked. 

"You bet." I met Jackson at the door, I used to volunteer with him, and he led us out to one of the playrooms in the back. We waited there while he one by one brought puppies in, a few at a time. She jumped off her seat and melted onto the floor to play with them pretty quickly.

I sat beside her while we looked as the puppies ran all around the room extremely excited and adrenaline rushing through them. She grinned while grabbing a puppy that was walking in circles around her and holding it. 

"Why here? For a date?" she questioned while scratching the little guy behind his ear. 

"Because I need you in a place where first of all, you can't throw anything at my head, and second of all, where you aren't as upset," I answered honestly. If she wasn't upset, she would listen to me with an open mind and at least consider taking me back. 

"So I listen?" she asked knowingly. 

"Yeah," I sighed. 

"Fine, I'm all ears," she said, "Probably because I'm holding a puppy. Go on then," she mumbled. 

I chuckled before talking, "Alex, I'm sorry. I truly am, genuinely. I had no idea that you were drugged, I had no idea anyone would even try doing something like that. Obviously, if I had known, I wouldn't have left you alone. And I definitely would have done a little something to his face," I mumbled. 

I heard her chuckle at my words, her eyes trained on the dogs. 

"And if Abby or anyone would have told me, I would have apologized and made it up to you a lot sooner. I would never have broken things off. Alex, I love you. Always." I pleaded, "Please take me back." 

She sighed while scratching the puppy who had dozed off in her lap. "Carter, I didn't want you to leave in the first place. I didn't want any of this to happen, I never thought it would either. How was I supposed to know he was going to drug me?" 

"You weren't. I know that. I am so, so sorry, Alex. Don't take me back if you don't want to, just please forgive me. I still need you in my life, I still need you to be a part of it. We were friends earlier, we can still be friends. We can do it again. But please, Alex. Because I can't-" I turned to face her but before I could finish, she grabbed the sides of my face and pulled my lips down to hers. 

Neither of us broke away the kiss for a minute until she did. Her lips were still brushing mine when she spoke up. "I love you," she whispered. I couldn't help but smile. I'm sure she didn't want to, nor was she planning on forgiving me so soon, but I got through to her. Just like I hoped I would. 

"I love you," I said before kissing her again, shorter this time. "You should know, we only get ten minutes in here. If you want one take it," I shrugged. 

"I think I'll come back here, grab this little guy next time," she sighed, sounding a little bummed out while looking at the puppy sleeping in her lap. 

"Why? Take him now," I replied. 

"I can't just come home with a dog," she laughed. 

"Sure you can. You know your dad won't be upset. But if you wanna come back later, we can do that," I nodded. 

"Let's come back later," she agreed in response. Once our ten minutes with the puppies were up, we left. 

"Thanks for letting me take you out today. I needed that little redo," I chuckled while we buckled ourselves into the car. 

"You needed a big redo," she snickered, "But you're welcome." 

"It isn't over yet, I still have some stuff I need to do," I said while starting the car and starting the drive. 

"What are you talking about?" she questioned, this time letting me place my hand on her thigh. 

"Look, as if knowing what Hudson did to you in the past didn't bother me enough, he was stupid enough to do something again. There's no way I'm letting this go," I explained. 

"Carter, just let it go," she replied. 

"Mm-mm," I shook my head, "Not this time. He took it too far, Alex. You know that. You could have gotten seriously hurt. Someone needs to put him in his place." I paused and glanced at her. 

She couldn't stop me from doing this. 

"And it's gonna be me," I stated.

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