Jade was the single most infuriating, yet addicting, person I’d ever met. For the life of me I couldn’t read her. I couldn’t understand what she wanted or needed from me. If I thought she only wanted hook ups I’d have left it alone, but I knew she wanted more. I could see it in her eyes, and the way she stayed up to talk to me all night. I’d brought up the girlfriend thing because it made sense. Between Ray at the gym and her describing what we were doing as ‘just sleeping together’ something had to give. If we were agreeing to exclusive, why not use the label?

I tried to step back, give her the space she wanted, but I wasn’t giving up. I’d never felt so connected to a girl before, and it didn’t help that my family called me constantly asking how she was. I wasn’t surprised she’d made such a good impression, but now I had no clue what to do. I definitely wasn’t telling them we’d broken up. If things went my way she’d officially be with me soon enough.

I couldn’t sit around my apartment a second more. I knocked on Glen’s door, hoping I wasn’t interrupting something with him and Savy.

“Come in,” he called through the door.

“Hey guys, do you feel like heading down to the Music Attic with me?”

“I wonder why you’d want to go there?” Savy sat cross-legged on Glen’s bed. He was seated at his desk typing.

“Yeah, well. I’m not going to pretend otherwise.”

“I’m sure she’ll enjoy the surprise visit.” Savy grinned.

“Can you give me twenty minutes? I need to finish this paper.” Glen looked away from the computer. He was taking a busy load of summer classes to make up for some time he’d taken off.

“Sure. I’ll wait for you guys out here.” I headed out of Glen’s room, closing the door behind me.

I hoped Savy was right, and Jade did enjoy the surprise.

Forty minutes later we finally reached the door of the music venue where Jade worked. A local band was playing, and they’d drawn in a big crowd.

“Hey!” Jade beamed when she saw us. “I didn’t know you guys were coming out tonight.”

“Kyle decided to surprise you.” Savy patted my arm.

“It’s a great surprise.” Her eyes sparkled. She was excited to see me, and that made the trip down to see her completely worth it.

I handed over my credit card to cover the three tickets.

Jade took it, scanned it, and handed me the card and a receipt back. “I’ll come find you guys when the line stops.”

“All right. Text me if you can’t find us.” I leaned over the counter and kissed her lightly on the lips.

She smiled. “All right. I will.”

I reluctantly walked inside. I couldn’t hold up the line any longer.

“Did you see the way she looked at you?” Savy ran a hand through her long blond hair.

“Was it different than she normally does?”

“No. It was the same. That’s the point. The girl’s clearly crazy about you.”

“The feeling’s mutual.” I wondered where Savy was going with the conversation.

“Have you broached the relationship status thing again?”

Glen led the way through the crowd. “Savy, don’t get into the middle of this. It’s none of our business.”

“It is my business. Jade is my friend. I want her happy.”

“Don’t we all?” I wanted her happy more than anyone. I hoped that her being happy meant being with me.

“I wish I knew how to convince her to stop holding back.” Savy got in line for the bar.

“Trust me. I do too.”

“Have you talked to her about it in a while?” She dug out her wallet from her purse.

“No. I’m afraid it will push her away.”

“Yeah, but if you do nothing you’re the one who’s going to be pushed away.” She tilted her head back.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s the funny thing.” Savy ordered a couple bottles of water and handed me one. “Thanks for getting the tickets.”

“You’re welcome.” I twisted open the top of my water. “But what’s funny?”

“She’s afraid of getting into a relationship with you because she thinks you’re going to get bored and leave her. What she doesn’t get is she’s going to make you leave if she keeps playing these games.”

I stared at her. Was that really it? Jade thought I was going to get bored with her? Maybe I’d been approaching the situation all wrong.

Savy put a hand over her mouth. “Oh my gosh. I wasn’t supposed to say that. She’s going to kill me. I just want her happy. I want that so bad.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell her you did. It’s good information to have though.”

“You think you can convince her she’s wrong?” Savy asked hopefully.

“I’m going to try.” I didn’t have another choice. I wasn’t giving up.

I spent most of the show glancing over my shoulder, looking for Jade, but by the end of the first set I still hadn’t seen any sign of her. I excused myself from Savy and Glen and went back to the ticket counter. I found her talking to another guy who worked there. Bryan.

When Jade saw me she ran into my arms. I hugged her back while noting Bryan’s dirty look. Didn’t she realize her co-worker was into her?

She kissed me on the cheek. “Sorry. The crowd’s been crazy tonight.”

“Bryan, do you have it now?” I met his eyes.

He glanced at the empty entrance. “Sure. Have fun.”

Jade waved. “Thanks.”

I laced my fingers with hers and led her over to where I’d left Savy and Glen.

She stayed glued to my side as the band moved into their second set. She jumped around and sang along, reminding me of our hike. Live music had the same effect on Jade that the outdoors did, it let her true colors show. I put my arms around her waist, enjoying the way her body bumped into mine. I liked the music, but I liked the company so much more.

---

“Thanks for the surprise visit tonight.” Jade curled up beside me in bed.

“Of course. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She ran her hand down my chest.

I closed my eyes, concentrating on her gentle touch. “My mom asked about you again tonight.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yup. She wanted to make sure you were getting enough sleep with all the hours you’re working.”

Jade laughed that light laugh of hers. “The lack of sleep isn’t from the job.”

I opened my eyes. “I wasn’t going to tell her that.”

“I appreciate that. Obviously she knows we’re sleeping together, but she doesn’t need to know exactly how much.”

“She’s already asking about the holidays and Thanksgiving.” I tried to make it sound nonchalant.

“Oh no.” She leaned up on one elbow. “Tell her I need to spend them with my parents…although you do know you’re going to have to make a break-up eventually.”

“Do I?” I ran my hand through her hair. “I mean we are together a lot now.”

“But we’re not together in the way they think.”

“All they know is we’re dating and we met at the station. That’s still true. The only difference is we haven’t been sleeping together as long as they think.”

“But sleeping together is different than dating.”

“Then let’s try dating.”

“Meaning?”

“Let me take you out.”

“Out where?” She sat up, letting the sheet fall down. I forced my eyes to move back to her face instead of focusing on her exposed breasts. Ogling her chest wasn’t going to help me convince her that my feelings for her were serious.

I thought about it. “To dinner. Maybe a movie.”

“You want to do dinner and a movie?” She looked at me like I was crazy. “Aren’t we doing things a little bit backwards?”

“I do have another idea.”

“Oh?”

“Come away with me this weekend.”

“That again? Are you serious?” She pursed her lips.

“I did promise my mom I’d take you out to the beach house.” The thought of Jade at the beach with me made my body warm. The fact that she was already naked next to me didn’t help.

“When?”

“Do you have to work tomorrow night?” I asked hopefully.

“Nope. I have the night off.”

“We’ll go tomorrow morning. It can be a beach date.”

“That’s still backwards. You’re taking me on a vacation again.”

“No, it’s more of a short getaway.” I realized something as she sat there chatting with me. She was revealing her body to me without seeming embarrassed or nervous. Usually the only time she let me see her was when we were actively getting ready to have sex.

“I wouldn’t mind some time at the beach.”

“Great.” I pulled her down on top of me. “It’s a date.”

“That still doesn’t change anything.”

“Yes it does.” I kissed her nose.

“Nope. We’re still just sleeping together.”

“And going on dates.”

“Fine. We’re dating. That doesn’t mean I’m your girlfriend.” She rested her head on my chest.

“One step at a time.” I kissed her shoulder.

“One step at a time.” She repeated my words before her hand slipped down underneath the sheet.