Jeremy's POV:

Carter has my hand in his and our fingers are laced together. His finger is rubbing over the back of my hand and it's extremely soothing, but I'm still a bit frustrated with him.

I didn't mean to be such an ass over text, but he did say a while ago that if he had a crush on someone then he'd ask them out. So, obviously, I took that as 'hey, if this adorable idiot has a crush on me, he'd tell me!' because I don't want to be embarrassed by asking him and having him reject me.

But, he didn't!

And then he got jealous when that guy with a super high opinion of himself started talking me up. Maybe it's because I've been watching too much Riverdale (a show I do not recommend) but I wanted to make him a bit jealous.

It worked apparently, because he got really irritated and asked me out abruptly, but now I'm worried it was just to rub it in Trenton's face. He doesn't really seem to like the guy and he's protective of me, so I'm a bit anxious that he's just being a good friend as opposed to someone who's actually attracted to me.

"Where are we going?" I ask Carter, expecting him to take me to his apartment or back to Vincent's.

Carter scoffs. "I'm taking you on a date and I'm not ruining the surprise!"

"Carter, you don't have to. I don't even like Trenton and I'm sorry I was mean to you over text. I can just go home."

He pauses in his tracks. "So you don't want to go on a date with me?"

"Do you want to go on a date with me?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise."

I give him a calculating look, trying to figure out if he's being honest or not. "It's not just a way to get back at Trenton?"

Carter seems appalled. "Of course not! Obviously, you're way too good for him, and probably way too good for me, and I've wanted to ask you out for a while, but I didn't want to make you uncomfortable if you weren't ready to date a guy. Trenton being flirty with you was annoying, but it was not the ultimate reason I asked you."

"What was, then?"

He pauses where we're walking and grabs my both of my hands in his before kissing my forehead, as he's done many times before.

"Well, you put up with me texting you nonstop," he says, his hands moving to my hips, but he's a bit hesitant, as if he's worried he'll scare me off. "You're cute. You like to watch movies with me and you know all the right things to say."

I smile and bite my bottom lip, my stomach fluttering at his words. "You're not going to tell me where you're taking me, though?"

"No."

"You didn't even have a plan," I point out. "You just asked me because you were salty."

Carter scowls, grabbing my hand once again. "I have a plan!"

"What is it then?"

"Do you not understand the point of a surprise?"

I roll my eyes as we continue down the street.

Eventually, Carter lights up and we take an Uber to the city near to us. At least he finally found out his own surprise because I was worried he would never stop walking me down random streets. Truthfully, we only were walking for about fifteen minutes, and it was kind of funny to watch him think over where we should go, so I stayed quiet.

"Where are we?" I ask as we stop in front of a one story building with lights on inside.

Carter squeezes my hand. "Come on," he says, opening the front door.

"Carter?" someone asks, and I see a young woman with dyed pink hair and big earrings all over her hair. "Haven't seen you in a minute."

He grins and pulls me forward so I'm not hiding behind him as much- the bastard.

"Jeremy, this is my cousin, Hailey," he introduces. "Hailey, this is Jeremy."

Hailey walks around the counter and shakes my hand. "Nice to meet you!"

I notice a tattoo peeking out from under her sleeve, and it looks really cool even though I've always been told that tattoos are a one way ticket to Hell.

"Nice to meet you, too," I respond, smiling at her. "Why are we here, though?"

Carter puts his arm around my shoulder. "Hailey, can we go to the back room?"

"Are you two..." Hailey trails off. "Oh! Yeah, go ahead!"

Carter thanks her and leads me to whatever the back room is.

"Is this where you kill me?" I ask bluntly.

"Yes, I have all of the stuff to dispose of your body in Janelle's car."

Dramatically, I put my hand over my heart. "She's in on it?!"

"She doesn't want to find a new roommate so she's keeping quiet."

I laugh, following Carter into a room and gasping when I see a whole room full of puppies. And when I say puppies, I mean dogs who can't be older the twelve weeks all barking and jumping around, playing.

"Hailey works at a puppy daycare," Carter informs me, opening the gate where all the puppies are. "And these ones are here overnight. I figured, since you like animals, that this would be more fun for you."

I grin and sit on the ground, thrilled when the puppies all jump on me and nip at my fingers. They're adorable, and I see that Carter is just watching me, a fond smile on his face.

"I like seeing how happy you are," he says when I give him a questioning look. "And I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea when I asked you out tonight."

"Usually, I'd hold a grudge, but you brought me to see a huge group of puppies, so I think I can get over it," I say, kissing the forehead of a chocolate lab puppy and laughing when they lick my chin. "Also, I need you on my side because I'm stealing all of these puppies."

"Don't be ridiculous, we could only steal four."

I sigh, leaning back on the gate and watching a curly haired puppy climb into my lap and cuddle against my chest. "Sad day. Which four should we steal?"

"Where would we keep them?" Carter asks, picking up an Australian Shepard. "Vincent's apartment complex is pet free and my deposit is too expensive."

"Your dad likes me, right?"

Carter laughs. "Not enough to threaten Bean with puppies!"

I smile as I continue to pet the puppies, and I am so happy with how Carter and I can bicker back and forth so easily. It's fun and I've never felt so happy and secure with another person than when I do around him.

He's just... perfect.

That's a really bold way to describe someone, as no one's perfect, but in my eyes, he is.

"What're you staring at?" Carter asks, curiosity in his eyes, as well as concern. "All good?"

I hum. "I'm great. I'm just realizing how happy I am to have met you... and how much I like you."

Carter's cheeks go pink and he takes my hand in his once again. "I'm pretty sure you're one of the only people who can make me blush over and over again."

"Adorable," I quip, which only makes him blush again. "What, did you think you're the only one who can call someone else cute and make them all flushed?"

"Your bold side scares me a bit."

"Good."

We play with the puppies for a half an hour before Carter looks at the clock and says we should go so that Hailey doesn't have to stay late for us. Even as we're leaving , she says she'll stay later, but Carter assures her we'll come back at some point.

I'd be completely okay with that.

We take an Uber to Vincent's apartment and I use my key to unlock the front door. It's not too late, but I know that Carter is tired from his meet today and I don't want to keep him awake all night.

Even if tomorrow's a Saturday, he still needs some sleep.

"Goodnight," Carter whispers, leaning down and kissing my lips.

I kiss him back, closing my eyes.

How did I try to convince myself that I don't like guys? Obviously the religion stuff was a big part of it, and I'm still unsure at times, but I trust Carter.

His lips are soft and he has both hands on my his and mine are on his face. He kisses me deeply, his tongue gently flicking against mine. It's a strange, uncommon feeling, but I like it and I like how he's being gentle and cautious with me.

"Go inside," he tells me, smiling as we part. "Have a good night."

I can't do anything except smile and blush. "Goodnight. Text me when you get home."

I go inside and head to my room, pulling my pillow to my chest and grinning as I quietly shriek in joy. I've never felt so happy and loved; how could I ever want to deny myself this chance with such an amazing man?

I lay down on my bed when I hear someone knocking at my window. It makes my heart drop and I grab my lamp to use as a weapon; my night was amazing and there's no way I'm going to die right now!

Opening the screen, I lift my weapon and see Carter standing there, waving at me.

"What are you doing?" I whisper, pulling him inside before closing and locking the window once again.

He brushes his wrinkled shirt out. "I decided I don't want to end our date yet. Can I spend the night?"

"Yes," I say instantly, because I really do want him to. "Just go shower so you don't smell like chlorine."

He nods and grabs my lamp, setting it back on the nightstand. "You were really going to use a lamp as a weapon?"

"It was short notice," I mumble.

Carter snickers. "Could have just ran to the main room and ignored it."

"You could have just called me instead of knocking on the window."

"It's called a surprise."

I initiate the kiss this time, but it's a quick peck instead of a long kiss like he gave me. "I think I like your surprises."