“Why put a label on it?” She propped up her elbow against the window frame and put on her best I-don’t-give-a-fuck look.

I’d never wanted labels before. Never wanted to be anyone’s. Never tied down and never looking back, but with her, different feelings were trying to railroad their way inside my chest.

She flicked me a look. “Besides, I heard you don’t like to date.”

“Who said that?”

“Every girl who’s talked about your ass in football pants, including some of the moms.”

“Maybe no one’s asked me on a date before.”

Her eyebrow arched sky high. She shook her head and sank back into her seat. “Welcome to the party, pal.”

“You’ve never been on a date?”

“I’m ‘The New Girl’.” She put it in air quotes. “And I do stage crew. What was your first clue?”

“That people are damn stupid.”

“Including you.” Her head tilted. “I’ve been here all this time.” The tease in her voice wasn’t enough to cover the hurt. The hurt I’d put there.

A pit in my stomach twisted. Three wasted years. “There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not kicking my own ass knowing that.”

She cracked a smile. “Okay, that makes me feel a little better.”

“So, when’s our date?” I pulled the car into her driveway, put it in park, but let the engine idle. Her mom was working. She was home alone, but after her caution in the parking lot, I wasn’t pushing things any further until she was ready.

“I didn’t agree to a date.”

“Sorry to do this then, but I’m going to have to lay down the law. No more kisses from these lips until I get a date.” I dragged my fingers across my lips and threw the imaginary key over my shoulder. She wasn’t ready and I wasn’t ready to be the guy who pushed her faster and further than she should be going. But the thought of someone else fumbling all her firsts made me want to punch something. It made me want to burn everything down to think she wouldn’t have the best, and while she deserved a hell of a lot more than me, my selfishness won out on this one. I couldn’t help myself anymore. I’d do whatever I damn well needed to be that guy for her, even when I was finding my way through a forest with a match in the dead of night.

“You’re going to not make out with me again until I agree to go out on a date with you?” She shot up straight, her voice jumping two octaves.

“I said kiss. We’ve yet to make out.”

A small sound escaped her open mouth and I ran my finger under her chin closing it. “We haven’t?” Her words were a rushed whisper.

I shook my head.

“Not even a little bit.” My cocky grin was back in full force.

“But…” She sputtered. Her eyes widened. “What’s making out like then?”

“I’m going to need the date details first.”