Whatever It Takes

Private Room

"Dovey, hurry up! We're going to be late for the rehearsal!" Dustin barked from the living room.

I let a deep breath out, studying myself in the mirror as I fluffed my hair. I fixed my lipstick one more time and flashed a smile, trying to calm my nerves. I pulled my small bag over my shoulder and started out of my room.

"Coming!" I called back. I got to the living room, flashing a smile at Dustin and Eddie. "Patience is a virtue, little brother."

I felt my chest tighten when I noticed how Eddie watched me – slack jawed and eyes wide – and tossed my curls over my shoulder.

"Whatever, weirdo, let's go," Dustin ordered, storming out the front door.

I sidled up to Eddie, smiling at him as he stared at me. I held my keys up, leaning closer to him.

"Do you think you could hold my keys for me tonight?" I asked coyly. He finally smiled, snaking his arm around the small of my back.

"I'd probably do anything you'd ask me, Bird," he replied quietly, taking the keys from my hand and pressing his lips to mine. I set my hands on his chest, melting into him. He pulled back, his cheeks pink. "You look fantastic."

I smiled, smug about my outfit choice, and leaned further into Eddie.

"You don't look so bad yourself," I quipped.

He did look great – he was in a black suit with a black button up, no tie, and shirt unbuttoned just enough. He smiled down at me, running his hand through my hair.

"It's still an out of body experience whenever you're nice to me," he retorted before kissing my forehead. I smiled and felt my heart flutter with how he grinned back at me.

"Can you two hurry up?" Dustin screeched from outside.

We both jumped, and I kissed Eddie once more before starting out to the car, Eddie close behind me. We had not been brave enough to "play it cool" in front of Dustin yet – one of us would get the courage to hold the other's hand, but then would immediately drop hands as soon as Dustin could catch us. We'd try to encourage each other, reduced to giggles as we teased each other.

We got to the car, and Eddie trotted in front of me, opening the passenger door for me. I smiled at him as I walked past him, my stomach flipping when he winked at me. I got in the car, and Eddie closed the door behind me before clambering in. I smiled at Dustin, and he rolled his eyes at me. He started the car, peeling out of the driveway in spite of my protests.

"Where's dinner tonight?" Eddie asked. I turned in my seat, smiling at him.

"Enzo's – Ms. Byers got the private room," I answered. Eddie raised his eyebrows, leaning forward in his seat.

"The private room? How fancy," he replied, his words full of subtext. We were both smiling like idiots again, and we were unable to stop staring at each other.

"Did you two get a lobotomy? It's so weird how well you guys are getting along," Dustin snapped, annoyed with us. I turned back to the front of the car.

"We just grew up, I guess," I answered, shrugging at him.

Eddie slipped his hand around my seat, around the side that Dustin couldn't see, and squeezed my arm. I took his hand in mine, squeezing it back, and he dropped me to make sure Dustin wouldn't catch us. I was beaming, only half-listening to the two of them tease each other about something.

We pulled up to Enzo's and got out of the car, Dustin racing ahead of us into the restaurant. Eddie glanced around, and took my hand, pulling me close to him. I smiled up at him as we walked to the restaurant together, leaning into him before we got to the door. He kissed my forehead, squeezing my hand.