Chapter 10

Planning a date for Lola turned out to be harder than I expected. Not because she’s difficult — she isn’t — but because I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted something she’d genuinely enjoy, something that would make her feel appreciated. And honestly? I had no idea what places she liked. Every idea I came up with felt either too basic or too much.

I sat there for a while, scrolling through options, overthinking everything, until it finally hit me. A place with a view. A place where the world felt quiet. A place where she could breathe.

I was nervous — more nervous than I’d ever admit. I didn’t want to mess this up. After everything she’d been through, after everything I’d watched her carry, I wanted to be the one thing in her life that didn’t add stress.

The night we got back from Yosemite, after we’d finally connected — really connected — I waited until we were all home before texting her.

“I was going to ask if you had any plans tomorrow?”

She replied:

“No, why?”

My heart jumped. I asked if she was free around 5 p.m., and when she said yes, I finally sent the message I’d been rehearsing:

“I wanted to see if you wanted to go out on a date, maybe? It’s okay if you don’t as I’ll understand and don’t want to push it.”

I didn’t want her to feel pressured. If she had said no, I would’ve respected it — but I’m glad she didn’t.

I won’t repeat everything that happened on the trip. She already knows. But what she doesn’t know is how nervous I was around her. How I kept second‑guessing myself. How I didn’t know where her heart was, or if she even saw me the way I saw her.

But then we started spending time alone. Talking. Laughing. Opening up. And suddenly, everything made sense.

Fast forward to our date — it was going perfectly. She looked happy. Relaxed. Like she was finally letting go of the weight she’d been carrying.

And then Chase and Evelyn showed up.

Of all people. Of all nights.

My ex‑best friend and the girl he chose over her. The last two people I wanted anywhere near us.

They interrupted us, of course. Chase always had a talent for ruining things. But Lola handled it better than I expected. Stronger. Clearer. She didn’t let him pull her back into the past. She didn’t let him twist her emotions. She chose herself — and she chose me.

We cut the date short after that. I hated that they ruined what I planned, but honestly? The night still ended better than I could’ve imagined.

We went back to her house. Just the two of us. Quiet. Comfortable. Real.

And when I finally asked her to be my girlfriend — the question that had been sitting on my tongue since Yosemite — she said yes.

She said yes.

My head spun. My chest felt too full. I couldn’t stop smiling. I still can’t.

I’m not worried about Chase. He’s a walking red flag, and the fact that he’s still with Evelyn surprises me more than anything. But that’s not my problem anymore. He had his chance. He blew it.

I know I can make Lola happy. I know I can show her what real love looks like — the kind that doesn’t hurt, doesn’t manipulate, doesn’t make her question her worth.

I can’t wait to see where this goes.

I can’t wait to see how we grow.

I can’t wait to show her everything she deserves.

And I’m going to do it right.