She heard him sigh and immediately regretted letting those words slip from her mouth.
"Alyssa, we're just two people getting to know each other," he started, interlocking their fingers. "And I actually really like where we're at. Don't you?"
"What? No, yes!" Alyssa exclaimed, flustered at herself. "I do too... I don't know why I'm feeling so
insecure. I just don't think you want me in that way. I'm sorry, ignore I even said anything..."
There was a momentary silence between them as Alyssa's embarrassment escalated.
"Are you crazy?" Calum bellowed, catching her by surprise. "Of course I want you in that way, Alyssa. I thought I made that clear when we first met. Fuck, that's the reason why we are where we are. You're not like the girls I usually meet and I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do. I really like you. Please don't doubt yourself around me, I won't have that."
He caressed the top of her hands with his thumbs, coaxing her to look at him. "Hey," he whispered, sending her a small smile. "I like you a lot."
And with that, he leaned up to kiss her.
. . .
"So is it fucking official?!" Alyssa shouted as she launched at Kassi for probably the hundredth time.
"Lys, calm the fuck down! Jesus Christ," she complained, laughing loudly.
"Just answer the question," Alyssa retorted. "You've been avoiding this for a whole week. What kind of best friend are you?"
Kassi snorted. "You have got to be kidding me."
Unfazed, Alyssa only proceeded to stare her down.
"Fine!" Kassi declared, fed up with her friend's persistence. "No, we are not official. There? Are you happy now?"
"See? That wasn't so difficult was it?" Alyssa chirped, smiling widely. "But what's keeping him from growing the balls to ask?" She wondered aloud.
"His career obviously," Kassi replied glumly while going through the channels on their TV. "In a couple of weeks, they have to leave for Chicago to do a couple radio show concerts and then after that, Australia for the holidays. Who knows, maybe he'll forget all about me by then."
"Don't be so daft," Alyssa remarked, smacking Kassi on the arm. "Excluding the visits with the rest of the band, he's been spending his time here just as much as he does in the studio. If that doesn't say something, then I quit."
She threw her arms up in the air for emphasis.
"That's because I'm the one who invites him over!" Kassi cried out. "He's only ever requested to see me at his own will probably like twice."
"But the fans," Alyssa pointed out. "Didn't you tell me that just last night a couple of them came up to you guys and asked if you guys are dating? And what did Luke say? Come on, remind me."
Kassi sighed. "He said it would be their little secret and then the fans said we looked cute together."
"Damn straight!" Alyssa stated, grinning. "Plus, they've all discussed about bringing us down to Australia. Like what the fuck? Five Seconds of fucking Summer wants to spend the holidays with us? That's amazing. The signs are there, Kassi, you just need to follow them."
"Okay, simmer down," Kassi retorted, laughing lightly.
"I'm pretty fucking simmered, Kas. Don't fight me on this," Alyssa warned, the tone in her voice nothing short of serious.
"Okay, since you're so hung up on my whereabouts with Luke, how about I start to invest my time on you and Calum's rendezvous, yeah?" Kassi mused teasingly.
Alyssa scoffed. "Rendevous? We aren't having an affair, Kas," she laughed, shaking her head.
"Fair point," Kassi admitted with a giggle. "But you haven't really spoken about him in a while. Is everything okay between you two?"
Alyssa swallowed. "Yes, of course, why wouldn't it be? Don't worry about it," she dismissed a bit too quickly.
Kassi stared her down, clearly unconvinced, but doesn't press on the subject further.
"Alright, if you say so. But if something does happen, do not be afraid to tell me."
Alyssa nodded reassuringly, returning her attention to the TV even though her mind was elsewhere.
"Oh, by the way," Kassi spoke up as she lowered the volume on the television. "Luke invited us over to their LA house for a crew dinner tonight. They do this a lot whenever they're in town, according to him. Calum has told you, yeah?"
Alyssa was about to shake her head, but she nodded instead. "Oh yeah, of course," she told Kassi. "Nearly forgot about that."
She played off her uneasiness with a laugh before Kassi could suspect anything. Eventually, Kassi stood up, shutting the TV off altogether.
"Considering we have about three hours until the dinner, I think I'll get a head start on getting ready, okay?"
Alyssa just looked at her.
"What?" Kassi shrugged. "It's the first time we've ever actually met their crew. We have to make a good impression."
On that note, Kassi disappeared from sight; leaving Alyssa to her nagging thoughts of second guessing her attendance to this dinner.
