Chapter 50 (2/2)

“How many? None,” I scoff, trying to force a nonawkward laugh.

She raises her eyebrow at me and cocks her head. “Really? Come on, I know—”

“You have?” I interrupt.

If she’s acting this surprised that I haven’t slept with anyone, how many people has she slept with?

Dakota shakes her head. “No. I haven’t, I just assumed you did.”

“Why would you assume that?”

And sitting here in the night, bringing all of these things up, I’m starting to think this woman doesn’t know me at all. Dakota doesn’t say anything, she just shrugs her shoulders and lies down with her head propped up against the headboard. She stares up at the ceiling before finally proclaiming, “Today was not fun.”

I should change the subject. I finally got her in bed and calm and mostly sober.

“It’s fine, it’s over anyway. It’s gotta be like two a.m. by now,” I tell her.

She smiles and I lie down and turn off the lamp.

“Thank you for everything, Landon. You’re always my safe place,” she whispers in the dark.

I can feel her eyes on me even though I can’t see them.

“Always,” I reply, and gently squeeze her hand.

Today wasn’t fun, she’s right. Today was stressful.

I started the day thinking I was going on a first-date-like thing with Nora, but then ended up with