"You sure you're not hungry?" Josh asked, gently running his fingers through my hair.

"Well, now that you mention it.." He nodded, his smile growing as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me up against him. "Do you think everyone's still downstairs?"

"I can go check." He sighed, pulling me into a gentle kiss before rolling over and pushing himself up from the bed. I couldn't help but smile, hoping that we would always be the kind of couple that kissed all the time.

I watched him as he made his way out of the room and down the hall, listening carefully for anyone.

"Coast is clear." He whispered, peeking his head back into the doorway. He reached out, motioning over to him. I didn't hesitate to crawl over, hopping out of bed and taking his hand. He pulled me in closer, quietly leading me down the stairs and into their kitchen.

"I'll have whatever you're having." I said, sitting down at the counter while I watched him rummage through the fridge.

"You like fruit for breakfast, right?" He asked, pulling out a fresh bowl. I nodded, containing my smile. I loved how he remembered these kind of things about me.

"Mhm.."

"You're here early." I heard as Jake made his way into the kitchen, going over to the coffee maker. My cheeks burned as I shot Josh a look.

"Yeah, she.. uh.. just came over for breakfast." He said, avoiding his eyes as he began cutting up the fruit. Jake smirked back at me, leaning up against the counter.

"It's been a while since you've come over for breakfast." He said. "And.. you were here so late." I bit down on my lip, trying to contain my smile.

I knew that he knew.

His eyes bounced back and forth between the two of us before I shot him a look, motioning for him to leave.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll leave you two alone.." He sighed, eventually forcing a smile. "Enjoy." He then avoided our eyes as he made his way back up stairs.

"What's up with him?" I asked, waiting for the sound of his bedroom door to finally close. Josh shrugged, finishing up the fruit and brought it over. He sat down next to me, sliding his chair closer to me, his leg brushing up against mine. My heart started beating faster.

"You're cute." I whispered, leaning in close. He flashed me a wide grin, taking one of the strawberries and holding it up to my mouth.

"You're gonna feed me?" I asked, giggling to myself. He shrugged, holding his stare on me.

Thankfully we were able to enjoy the rest of our breakfast alone, taking turns feeding each other the pieces of fruit while talking about where we wanted to go tonight for our first date.

"We can go wherever you want." He laughed, helping himself to the last strawberry. I couldn't take my eyes off him as he licked his fingers clean, staring back at me with those beautiful eyes.

"I don't care where we go, just as long as it's with you." I said softly, leaning in, gently kissing his lips. He didn't hesitate to reach up, caressing my face, kissing me back. He tasted so sweet, like the most delicious forbidden fruit that was finally all mine.

"Alright." He finally sighed. "I'll surprise you."

"Okay, I.. I think I'm gonna go see my mom for a little bit today, and then I'll get ready."

"Do you want me to take you? I don't mind, we can go toge-" I leaned in, cutting him off, kissing him again.

"It's okay. I'll see you tonight, alright?" He nodded, holding his stare on me.

"I can walk you back home."

He took my hand, intertwining our fingers as he walked us back over to my house and I could tell, taking his time as he playfully swung our arms back and forth.

"Alright.." He said, his eyes moving down to my lips. "So.. I'll be here at 7, okay?" I nodded, my eyes now moving down to his.

"I can't wait." I whispered, gently holding his face in my hands. I then felt his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me up against him as he pulled me into a passionate kiss. I slowly moved my hands into his hair, tangling them within, pulling him in closer. I didn't want him to go, but I knew if I was going to tell my mom that something was finally happening with Josh, there was no way he could be there.

"Okay, I'll see you later." I laughed, finally moving away. He sighed, pulling me back into another series of kisses before letting me go.

"Alright.. see you tonight."

I watched as she made her way inside, peeking back at me with a giddy smile before she shut the door behind her. She was so beautiful and she was finally all mine. Well, almost.

But after tonight.. she would be.

I went back inside, quickly making my way up the stairs.

"Hey.." I said, knocking on Jake's door, peeking my head inside. He looked up at me from over his phone.

"Hey." He said simply. "She finally go home?" I bit down on my lip, trying to contain my smile.

"Uh.. yeah." I said. "Hey um.. can I.. can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"So.. Jaime and I have.. well, we have a.. a date tonight." I finally managed. He looked back up at me, his eyes wide. He stared at me for a moment before finally giving me a gentle smile.

"That's great." He sighed. "Congrats." I nodded.

"Yeah, but.. I was kind of thinking of.. asking her to be.. official. Tonight." He was quiet for a moment.

"Official? Already?" He asked. My stomach dropped. Was it too soon?

"Well, yeah. I mean, I think she wants to.. and I want to so.."

"You don't think you should.. take some time?" He asked. I shook my head, holding my stare on him. I knew how I felt about Jaime. I had felt this way about her my whole life. And it seemed like she did too, and all we wanted was to be together now.. officially.

"I think.. tonight is the night." I finally said.

"I just think you're rushing things." He said plainly, looking back at his phone.

"W-what's going on with you?" I asked. After all these years, I thought he would have been the most excited for me. What was going on?

"Nothing's going on. I just think.. as someone who's never been in a relationship before.. that you're just jumping into this way too fast."

"Well, I don't think so. Now.. I was wondering if you could help me. You've asked girls out before and I was wondering.. how you did it?" He shrugged, keeping his eyes on his phone, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I mean.. I never really asked them. We just.. went out a couple of times and we just kind of.. assumed we were together at that point."

"You never.. asked them?" He shook his head.

"Well.. Jaime deserves to be asked. She deserves.. everything."

"If you say so, Josh."

I felt my face get hot, my heart beating faster. Five minutes ago I couldn't have been more confident about this. How did he manage to tear all of that down in a matter of seconds?

"Why are you being like this?" I asked. He finally looked back up at me, his face angry.

"Like what?"

"Like this."

"I don't know what you're talking about." He sighed, taking another sip. I held my stare on him, wanting to say plenty, but tonight was finally the night, and I wasn't going to let him ruin it.

"Whatever." I sighed. "I guess.. I'll just figure it out myself. I just assumed.. you could have helped me. After all these years, but.. I guess not. And.. look, I know you're going through stuff too. I'm sorry about what happened with you and Cait but.. I just thought after everything.. you'd be able to be happy for me. You know how long I've wanted this, Jake."

He stayed quiet, staring back at me for a moment before eventually putting his coffee down on his end table and rolling over, facing away from me.

"Fine. I.. I guess I'll just tell you about it when I get home."