“I’m an actor. You may know me from some of my more famous roles,” he went on. “I played Felix Morrison. And Malec Shadowfire.”

“Yes, I know. I know exactly who you are. I had a huge crush on you in middle school, and the Duel of the Fae trilogy is my favorite, even if they did screw up the ending. I think you are so talented and gifted, and I’m excited to meet you.”

He grinned at me, and in that moment I knew—absolutely knew—that everything was going to be okay. “And what is it you do for a living?”

“I have my own dog-grooming service.”

“That is very ambitious and entrepreneurial of you. I happen to have a dog I think you might like. You should come over and clean him up. He got really dirty recently.”

My heart was in my throat. “I would love to.”

“But only if you promise to wear those shoes.” Of course I had on my pink Converse, because I wore them all the time. “I love your shoes.”

He had on a pair of ratty Nikes, but I said, “I love yours, too. You have excellent taste.”

“I brought you something. Look under your seat.” He sounded like my Noah again, and I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed him.

Under my chair was a huge box of Snickers. Like the kinds grocery stores got and put out on their shelves. I picked it up and put it in my lap, fingering the edges. “Thank you.”

“It’s in case you get hungry,” he told me.

“You’re really thoughtful.”

“I try.” He shifted in his seat, putting his arm across the back of my chair. “So, is there any chance you might want to go out with me?”

“Pretty big chance,” I said. “But I have this thing about kissing, and you might need to help me through it.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

“But,” I added, “only if you understand that I’m going to fall in love with you. I can’t just be your friend.”

There was so much softness in his eyes that I melted into my chair. Seriously, someone was going to have to scrape me off this thing. Then he made the melting worse by saying, “I can’t just be your friend, either. And I will definitely fall in love with you.”

It was all I could do not to throw myself against his chest and sob.

He took his phone out. “Can I show you some pictures?”

“Sure.”