Enraptured(38)

"What?" He frowned, obviously confused.

"Oh, you know," I waved my hand. "You ask a question and I have to answer."

"I like that game."

I continued. "And then I get to ask a question and you have to answer."

He shook his head. "Not interested." He threw the truck into reverse and pressed down on the gas.

"You know that to be friends with someone, you kinda have to let them get to know you." I pointed out.

He threw me a serious stare. "You are getting to know me." His voice was thick. "Just not as quick as you'd like."

I nodded. "If you say so."

"Believe me, Angel. You already know me better than most everyone else."

I chewed on my bottom lip. "It's really sad that I believe that, Dace." I replied. "Because I don't know you at all."

"I'm trying." He promised. "Just take it slow, okay?"

I laughed. "If anyone knew those words came from your mouth, that bad reputation you worked so hard for would go up in flames."

He grinned, the tenseness momentarily forgotten. "Don't tell anyone."

"Oh, I don't know if I can keep that secret."

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm trusting you, Angel."

The way he spoke made my heart pitter-patter in my chest. His words were much more serious than the context he'd used them in. I knew he needed assurance and I gave him all I could. "You can trust me, Dace. That's what friends are for."

He didn't reply as he drove toward the university and we fell into a silence that was surprisingly comfortable. Dace made me feel at ease even in moments I knew I should feel anything but. There was just something about him - maybe in his aura that settled me. I let my eyes flutter closed and was nearly asleep when the truck rolled to a stop.

"What do you want from Starbucks?" The smooth melody of his voice broke through my haze of slumber and I opened my eyes to find Dace looking at me warmly.

"Um," I thought once about telling him I was okay with nothing, but I knew he'd argue. "I'll take a pumpkin spiced latte."

He ordered the drinks before pulling up to the window of the drive through. Luckily, we were the only ones in the line. I didn't see Dace as the patient kind of line guy. "Are you going to make it through the day?"

"Me?" I frowned. "Why wouldn't I?"

"School is important." He said awkwardly. "If you can't handle the shifts at Impact, I can cut them down so they're more manageable for you."

I shook my head. "I can manage. I need the pay, Dace."

"Why don't you move in somewhere more affordable?"

I sighed. This was so not the conversation I wanted to have with him - especially not this early in the morning. "I've looked. There's nothing. Everything was rented a month before class started and my rent was taken care of then."

"So your parents paid your rent?" He asked, wincing at the mention of my parents.

"Yeah." I nodded sharply. "Dad picked it out."

He nodded. "I see."

I turned to face him, "Look, I need this job. Believe me when I say that a club isn't my scene. If I wasn't desperate - I never would have asked you for the position."

He nodded, looking almost shamed. His jaw twitched. "I know, Angel."

"I don't mean for you to take offense." I began. "I just don't have the type of personality that deals with the whole flirty, backstabbing, late night club scene."

He set brilliant blue eyes on me and my breath caught in my throat. "I know."

Thankfully, the intense conversation was interrupted by the barista as she opened the window to hand us our coffees. Dace paid before driving away as I sipped on the drink that reminded me of holidays. At the thought, my heart broke all over again in my chest. This would be the first Christmas I would have without my parents. Thanksgiving had passed by without my noticing as it had fallen just a week after their burial. I wasn't even fully coherent then. But Christmas was going to kill me. I would be so alone.

"Hey," Dace spoke gently. "What's wrong?"

I cleared my throat, hoping to swallow my sorrow. "I'm just thinking."

"About what?" He pulled into the university parking lot and killed the engine.

"Christmas." I admitted. "I always drink pumpkin spiced lattes around this time of year."

His breath caught and he looked through the windshield, his eyes set determinedly. "You won't be alone for Christmas, Ella."

I laughed but it sounded strangled. "I know." I opened the door and jumped down. "I'll have Dee." I shut the door behind me, pulling the strap of my bag high on my shoulder. Not a second passed by before Dace was standing in front of me. His eyes were determined.