Dawn
I slowed the car as we turned onto Earl's street, the familiar row of quiet houses coming into view. My heartbeat still hadn't figured out how to behave, apparently it thudded harder the closer we got, like it knew something I didn't.
When I finally pulled over in front of his house, Earl unfastened his seatbelt slowly, almost hesitantly. For a second, I thought he'd rush out the moment the car stopped, but he didn't. He stayed there, hands folded in his lap again, eyes flicking toward me before darting away.
"Um…" he murmured, voice soft but steady. "Thank you… for driving me."
I was about to tell him it was nothing because for him, it really was nothing, I'd drive him anywhere, anytime...
But then he added, eyes dropping shyly:
"And… if you want… we can eat dinner here. I can make something."
He paused, then his cheeks warmed. "As a thank you."
My brain short-circuited for a full two seconds.
Dinner.
At his house.
Made by him.
I was trying not to grin like an idiot when he glanced at me again, this time with the tiniest spark of mischief.
"Since you were thinking about dinner earlier…" he mumbled, barely hiding the smile tugging at his lips.
I choked... actually choked on air.
"H-Hey—" I turned toward him, heat rushing to my face. "That's not— I wasn't— I just—!"
Great. Very smooth, Dawn. Perfectly intimidating Ace of the team completely undone by one soft boy making one soft joke.
Earl blinked, then let out a tiny laugh it was quiet, breathy, almost like he wasn't sure he was allowed to. But it was there. And it hit me like a bullet straight to the chest.
God.
He is adorable.
Too adorable.
Dangerous.
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to regain some dignity. "I mean… yeah. If you're offering. I'd—uh—I'd like that."
His smile grew a little more, still small, but real. "Hmm."
He reached for the door handle, then stopped and looked back at me, almost shyly.
"Come inside?"
My heart slammed hard enough that I thanked every higher power that Earl couldn't hear it.
"…Yeah," I said, trying to sound calm. "Lead the way."
Nope.
Absolutely no chance I was surviving tonight.