When the song ended, Karson stopped moving and slowly lifted his hands up to frame her face, his eyes searching hers. Softly, he said, “I can’t sing for shit, but I will pay to have someone sing to you. I don’t dance well, but I’ll do it just for the chance to touch you. I’m not one to listen to guys sing to find the perfect song for a girl, but I did for you. Most of all, I don’t usually pour my heart out to a person in front of a full coffee shop because I’m not that much of a romantic, but for you, I’d do it all. I’d do anything to be with you, and I’ve waited for someone like you my whole life. It’s true, all of it, and I would be the luckiest man in the world if you’d agree to go out on a date with me. Please give me the chance to make you fall for me like I have been falling since the first moment I set eyes on you.”

Never in her life had she had someone so ruthlessly come after her. Her heart pounded in her chest as he held her gaze. His eyes pleaded with her, begging for that chance. She wanted to scream yes and never let go of him, but there was a part of her that had her frozen with fear. “I’m terrified of you, Karson. You don’t know what you are getting into. I’m just now picking up the pieces of my life. I can’t redo it all when you run for the hills.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Lacey. I’m here. I’m yours. Just give me the chance.”

Biting into the inside of her cheek so hard it hurt, she closed her eyes as she leaned her forehead against his lips, taking in a deep breath. She was given a second chance at life to live it, not to hide. She had to live her life to the fullest, and a part of her knew that she wouldn’t be living if Karson weren’t a part of her life. Yes, she was terrified, and yes, there was a chance that he would completely break her, but she couldn’t help but try. She didn’t care how crazy it was. She felt the same thing he did. So she slowly nodded as she looked back up into the caramel eyes she craved to look into daily.

A grin came over his lips, and she returned it before whispering, “Yes.”

Karson wasn’t sure who moved first, but the next thing he knew, he was wrapped up in Lacey’s arms, kissing her so hard that he couldn’t breathe. Not that he wanted to. All he wanted was to kiss her for the rest of his life. As his mouth moved with hers, he knew this was it for him, and he didn’t plan on ever letting her go. Deepening the kiss, his tongue moved with hers in the most delicious way, causing the passion in him to rise. Holding her close, he separated only an inch to look deep into her eyes.

Into his heaven.

“As much as I don’t want to let you go, I have to pay these guys, so one second,” he said with a quick grin, reluctantly letting her go to pull some twenties out of his pocket. Thankfully, they had turned the lights back on, and everyone went back to doing what they were doing before Karson turned into a completely pussy and serenaded her. While he knew that he was going to get shit for it at practice tomorrow, he couldn’t muster up anything to care. All he cared about was making Lacey happy, and he thought he succeeded pretty damn well.

“Great job, guys,” he said, before handing them money. They all grinned before heading off, leaving him with Lacey. Turning, he smiled at her before taking her hand in his. “What are your plans tonight?”

She smiled as she laced her fingers with his. “I need to study.”

“Wanna get some dinner first?”

“Is this the date you spoke of?”

“Yeah, one of many to come. Can I please steal you away from studying? I know that’s bad, but I really can’t imagine leaving you after all this.”

A grin pulled at her lips as she said, “Yeah, I can study later. Let’s go.”

Elated, Karson waited as she packed up her stuff before wrapping his arm around her waist and leaving the coffee shop. Heading into the snow, they walked quickly to the Logan’s Roadhouse that was on campus. He knew there was a chance that it could be swamped, but luckily, it wasn’t. Being seated, he scooted into the same side of the booth that she did, grinning when she looked at him, surprised. Taking her book bag, he placed it in the empty spot across from them before looking down at the menu. He could feel her staring at him and looked over to find her grinning at him.

“I have to admit, this is my first date in years, probably, so I may be a tad bit rusty, but aren’t you supposed to sit over there?”

He laughed. “I could, but I don’t want to.” He shot her a grin before saying, “Your kissing isn’t rusty, that’s for sure.”

A giggle escaped her before she pressed her lips shut tight, looking over at him with playfulness in her eyes. “Well, thank you.”

Leaning over, he pressed his lips to hers softly before saying, “No, thank you.”

They held each other’s gazes until the waitress came over for their orders. After their food was ordered and drinks were delivered, Karson turned to ask, “So, how’s school going?”

She shrugged as she folded her hands under her chin. “Good, I failed my math pop quiz today. I hate math.”

“I’m pretty good at it. I’ll help you out if you’d like.”

“I would, thank you.”

“No problem. I won’t miss school once I go into the draft. I hate writing papers and crap. It’ll be nice to just relax and play. Knowing my mom though, she’ll probably suggest I take online classes.”

“Why did you go to school in the first place? Weren’t you offered to go into the draft after high school?”