"Everything okay?" Nate asked, and I realized I'd zoned out and followed him onto the elevator without thinking. I hadn't even responded to what he said about the wedding gift he bought to give them from both of us.

We were a we. Warmth filled my chest. Catching my reflection in the wall behind him, I saw my mouth was hanging open and closed it.

Clearing my throat, I said, "Yeah, of course. I didn't think about a gift. I'd be glad to split it with you."

Nate shook his head and waved the offer away. "Nah, that's no biggie. She's my coworker, anyway." He smirked as we crossed the parking lot. "But if you think you owe me, I'm sure we can work something out later."

The suggestion sent a rush of heat over my skin. "Sounds like you have our entire night planned."

I pressed the button to unlock the car doors and Nate opened the trunk for the present. I set it inside and he shut the lid before turning to me with a grin. "The whole night, huh?"

After glancing around to confirm we were alone, I curved my fingers behind his neck and pulled him closer. "I'll never have enough time with you."

His expression softened a second before our lips met in a kiss that was much deeper than the one he'd greeted me with. It wasn't long before my mind started searching for ways to stay at his place. Things were so easy there. We could talk and love and just be, without fear of judgment.

My pulse raced, matching the one I felt thumping under my thumb. Nate pulled away with a rough sound in his throat and a look of regret. "We better get going or we'll be late."

I nodded as we moved to get in the car, and the voice in my head screamed, tell him how you feel! I hid it from the world, but that didn't mean I had to hide it from him.

Nate should know that I love him. He probably already knew. He was always so sensitive to people's emotions; it was one of the sweetest things about him. But he should hear the words, and I needed to say them, for him, but also for me.

Why did I keep chickening out? Weeks of weak reasons had kept me from voicing the words that weighed on my heart. He was too important to continue letting flimsy excuses stop me.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Nate asked, causing me to flinch.

I'd started the car, but we were just sitting there. Shaking my head, I blew out a long breath. "Yeah, I'm good. Just distracted. Sorry."

"That's okay. I know you have a lot going on." Nate patted my thigh. "Do you want me to drive? We could switch."

"That's alright. I'm good." I wove my fingers with his on my leg. "Why don't you find something on the radio?"

As he searched for something he liked, I mentally kicked myself. I'd done it again.

Gritting my teeth, I told myself no more. Tonight, when we got back to his place, I'd tell him how I feel and how much he means to me. Not now, when I couldn't even look him in the eye. I'd wait and do it right.

***

After spending ninety minutes chatting, laughing, and enjoying the sound of Nate singing along with the radio, we arrived. Pulling onto the grounds, I took in the enormous green space that surrounded the gigantic, pale brick building. "This place is way bigger than I expected."

"It's crazy." Nate looked from one end to the other as I searched for a parking spot. "I didn't expect this to be such an event. Oh! I see some signs over there with arrows. I bet there's more than one party going on."

I studied the shape of the building and realized he was probably right. "Yeah, it seems to be split down the middle and there are two separate entrances. Interesting. I wonder if the outdoor space is shared?"

"I don't know. Let's go find out." Nate smiled before leaving the car and going to the back to retrieve the gift.

As we made our way toward the building, cars continued filing in behind us and well-dressed partygoers followed us to the wide walkway. When we reached the place where it split into two paths, signs were there to direct us. To the right was Joshua Belinky's bar mitzvah, and to the left was the Thomas/Bailey Wedding, our destination.

Thanks for reading! 💜