Fill Me (Rouse Me 3)

He nods. He looks so sincere, like always. I know how much he cares. I know he really does want to know the stupid things on my mind. But it's still hard to believe sometimes.

"Can you promise you'll react as calmly and cooly as possible?" I ask.

"Last time I checked, you weren't a fan of promises from Luke Lawrence."

"That's true."

"But, I do promise. What is it?"

"It's not a big deal."

"You want to wait until we order dinner?"

I nod.

"And I imagine that you, unfortunately, want to get dressed?"

I shake my head. "No, but I probably should. Unless..."

"Not right now, Ally." He kisses my cheek. "But later, if you're still awake and you're still up for it."

I disappear into our room and spend what feels like forever changing into my pajamas. It is a big deal. It's a huge deal. And he's perfectly capable of crushing me with his reaction.

CHAPTER FOUR

Luke

Alyssa joins me at the dinner table after hiding out in her room forever. She presses her lips together, squeezes her hands together. She's a nervous wreck.

I wish she had an easier time talking to me, but I'm not going to push it.

"I ordered from the Indian place," I say.

"It's so overpriced."

"I don't care. You deserve the best."

I offer my hand and she takes it. Her skin is so warm, but she's shivering.

"Ally, what's wrong?"

"It's really not a big deal." She presses her lips together again. Her gaze moves to the floor.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes." She presses her fingers into the table. "And I'll tell you, but I don't want to be talked out of my decision."

"Okay." What could she be talking about?

Her eyes stay on the floor. "I was offered a role in a play in New York and I turned it down." She fiddles with her tank top as she pulls her knees into her chest. "That's it. No big deal."

"What play?"

"Some famous play."

"Some famous play, my ass. If anyone cares about some famous play it's you," I say. She really does read the most awful, English major shit.

She smirks, but it only lasts a second. Then she's back to that same serious expression. "It's not a big deal."