I rubbed my clammy palms against my denim-clad thighs as Jason pulled his car onto the street.

"So," I began awkwardly. "I'm supposed to tell Claire where we're going before we leave. It's just that I'm here for the first time . . ."

"Leena, I get it," he said with an understanding smile. "First, we're having lunch at a restaurant nearby. After that, we're going to Hollywood Boulevard for dessert."

"Okay, sounds great!" I beamed. Pulling out my phone, I composed a quick message as I said, "I'll text Claire."

Almost immediately, my phone lit up with a response: Okay. Be safe and have fun, Lee.

Thanks, I will, I replied.

Dropping my phone into my backpack, I asked, "What exactly is this dessert place we're going to?"

Jason broke into an adorable, boyish grin. "You'll find out soon." 

"I can't wait," I exclaimed, squirming against the seatbelt strapped across my body. 

We settled into a comfortable silence as Jason navigated through the late afternoon traffic. I attempted to stare out the window, but I found that the streets of LA weren't half as interesting as the guy sitting beside me. I watched him surreptitiously, hypnotised by his hands gliding over the steering wheel and gearbox. A jolt of envy shot through me as I admired the way Jason did everything with natural ease and comfort.

"There," he said suddenly, startling me. 

I followed his gaze to a small restaurant called Wrap and Roll nestled between a supermarket and a clothing boutique.

Jason deftly manoeuvred his car into a vacant parking space nearby. Unbuckling our seat belts, we hurried towards the restaurant to escape the oppressive afternoon heat. We walked into Wrap and Roll, instantly gratified by a rush of cool air. A sleepy atmosphere prevailed in the modestly furnished eatery, only two of its numerous tables occupied.  

Moments after Jason and I settled into a cosy corner booth, a waitress with glowing caramel skin and short, dark hair headed towards our table, a small notepad and pen in her hands.

"Hi! Welcome to Wrap and Roll," she smiled, straightening her green apron. "I'm Rhonda. What can I get you guys today?"

Jason gestured towards me. I scanned the large, colourful menu, settling for a roasted mushroom and chickpea wrap. 

"I'll have a barbeque ranch wrap, please," Jason said. 

"Anything to drink?" Rhonda asked. "We have fresh lemonade." 

Jason and I nodded in unison, tempted by the idea of an ice-cold drink. The waitress scribbled our order onto her notepad. 

"I'll bring you your food in a few minutes," she said, heading off with a smile.

Suddenly, an angry, shrill female voice erupted from nearby.

"Are you fucking kidding me? The bride wants birds inside the wedding hall?" she shrieked. 

Startled by the stranger's outburst, I straightened to find a woman dressed in a grey jumpsuit, shouting into her iPhone. 

"Like, real live birds? What is wrong with her?" she demanded, her platinum blonde hair bouncing as she shook her head animatedly. "Does she not realise there would be bird shit everywhere? What kind of bird is she asking for, anyway?"

Jason and I exchanged glances, both of us struggling to withhold our laughter.

"Cockatoos? She asked for cockatoos?" the woman exploded, totally oblivious to her surroundings. "She asked for talking, shitting birds on her wedding day?"

I snorted, causing Jason to burst into a fit of laughter. With panicked hands, I grabbed my menu, stood it up by its edges, and hid my face behind it.

"What are you doing?" Jason asked, his voice coloured with humour as he nudged my knee with his.

"It's a menu fort," I explained from behind the card, hoping that the angry woman wouldn't catch me laughing at her. 

A moment later, I felt Jason shifting around the booth until he was right next to me, his entire side brushing against mine. He crouched until his head was also obscured by the menu.

His face rested a mere inch away from mine when he asked, "Do you mind sharing your menu fort with me?" 

The proximity of his piercing eyes and alluring lips caused my heart to slam against my ribcage. I dragged my gaze away from his, focusing on the menu instead.

"I don't mind," I managed to whisper. 

"The groom is okay with this? What is wrong with these people?" the blonde stranger demanded. "Why do all the crazies want me to plan their weddings?"

Jason and I collapsed into laughter again.

"Ugh, I hate my job!" she screamed, her words followed by a harsh slamming noise. 

A deafening silence followed. I dared myself to look at Jason.

"She hung up, I think," he said softly, his cheeks tinged red with laughter.

Suddenly, the air around us was charged with an awkward, tense energy as I stared into Jason's eyes, transfixed. My pulse thrummed rapidly against my neck as his gaze slowly drifted to my lips.

"Hey, guys?" a familiar voice called from nearby, shattering the moment. 

Jason and I emerged from behind the menu to find Rhonda expertly balancing two plates and glasses of lemonade in her arms. We thanked her in hushed voices as she set the dishes down in front of us.

"Do you need anything else?" she asked, smiling politely.

"No, thank you," we said in unison.

"All right, enjoy your meal!" Rhonda said before leaving the table.

At the sight of the steaming hot wraps and cool lemonade, hunger and thirst overpowered every other emotion. The chilled drink provided sweet relief against the spicy, flavourful wrap that burned my tongue.

"Did you like it?" Jason asked after our plates had been emptied. 

"Yeah!" I gushed. "Thank you for bringing me here."

"You're welcome," he smiled. 

We lapsed into an awkward silence as we waited for Rhonda to bring the cheque. I reached inside my backpack for my wallet, but Jason stopped me.

"I'm paying," he insisted.

"Let's share it," I persuaded, unwilling to take no for an answer. "Please?"

"Okay," he complied finally. "But I'm buying dessert."

"Deal," I grinned.

We split the cheque and tip before heading back outside. Fortunately, the heat had subsided as the sun surrendered to the early evening.

Once Jason and I climbed back into his car, all I could think about was that moment behind my menu fort in Wrap and Roll. I couldn't forget the feeling of his leg pressed against mine, the way the skin around his eyes crinkled when he laughed. Despite the air-conditioning inside the Chevrolet, my skin tingled with heat as I recollected the way Jason had looked at me, his eyes landing on my lips for one heart-stopping instant.

As we drove on, a heavy silence hung in the air, interrupted only by the muffled sounds of traffic. I risked a glance at Jason, searching his focused features for any indications to his thoughts.

Is he thinking about it, too? 

The question demanded all my concentration for the rest of the ride, my mind failing to register the sophisticated, unique beauty of Hollywood Boulevard. I barely noticed anything around me as Jason pulled into a crowded parking lot.

"Close your eyes," he instructed me, holding the passenger side door open.

"What?" I asked, puzzled. "Really?" 

"Really," he insisted with an infectious smile.

Shouldering my backpack, I stepped out of the car and closed my eyes. Jason's hands landed on my shoulders softly, an involuntary shiver coursing through my bones at the touch. 

"Okay, I'm going to guide you there," he said, his voice emanating from right behind my ear. "Don't open your eyes until I say so."

As Jason led me forward, I fought the temptation to look around. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally stopped walking. 

"Okay," he said, easing his hands off my shoulders. "Open your eyes."

I blinked rapidly as my eyes adjusted to all the vibrant lights and vivid colours. 

"Oh my god," I gasped when I read the bright sign in front of me. "Is this real?"

"Yes," Jason laughed. "It's real."

The 'dessert place' turned out to be something so incredible that I almost forgot all about that moment in Wrap and Roll.

Almost.