"Another date?" Jade asked, hands folded. "I don't want to go on another pretend date with you. If you have anything to tell me, why can't you just tell me now? Why make me wait so long? Every time, this is what you do, and I never learn anything tangible, Van. I am not going anywhere with you. Talk to me here."
She stopped and took a few steps toward him, wondering what was wrong with her. She could not even control her thoughts anymore in front of him. Why would she push him away and then move closer the next minute? Where was the consistency in her own behavior?
"Will you trust me?" Van asked. He reached out his hand as she drew closer and was shocked when she took it without hesitation. "This once, and if you don't like what you hear tonight, you can shoot me."
"Van." She whispered his name softly, she wasn't even sure what she wanted to say yet.
