If there's anything that I've learnt about myself on this date, it's that I hate caviar. Tuna carpaccio is too fishy for my liking. And Jimmy loves to talk about himself. I'm happy that at least one of us was able to learn more about me; I just wish it were him.

It's hard to get a word in and that's because Jimmy hasn't asked me a single question. It's not that Jimmy isn't nice. He's super nice, that's not the problem. The problem is that I don't think he wants to get to know me. And as much as I want to get to know him, when you're on a date with someone, it's a two-way street.

I'm so past my point of patience that I don't even care to order dessert, which is saying something because I have a huge sweet tooth.

"Sure, we'll take a look at the menu," Jimmy tells the waiter otherwise, and even though I flash him a smile, I'm mentally annoyed.

It's funny, all I've wanted for years is Jimmy. I wanted him so badly that I neglected the fact that there could be a chance that I wouldn't like him. I still think he's a great person, but I don't feel us vibing right now whatsoever.

I take one bite of the chocolate soufflé that Jimmy ordered and that's only because he's nudging me with his eyes to try it.

"My friend is having a few people at this house tonight. Would you want to stop by?" he asks.

How does one say 'hell no' politely?

"Who's your friend?" I ask, but I don't know why I do. He could say Timothée Chalamet and it wouldn't matter. I'm going home.

"Do you know Clay Bernstein?"

I tilt my head to the side, trying to place a face to the name. "Did he go to Sherman High?"

"He did."

"I think I might've met him once before."

"So, what do you say? Want to go to his party with me?"

"Uh," I say, reaching for my glass and taking a sip of water even though I'm not thirsty. I just need time to stall. "I actually have to be up early tomorrow. I think it's best if I call it a night."

"C'mon," he says with a cute pout. "Please. Just for a little."

I look at him, finding it hard to say 'no'.

"Fine," I agree. "Just for a little."

***

Jimmy takes my hand in his as we walk into Clay's house together. It's not so much a party, and more so about 20 people hanging out. 20 people that I don't know.

Until Brooks walks in looking like sex on a stick. His light brown hair is pushed off his face so that his piercing blue eyes shine bright. He's dressed in black jeans and a black bomber with a white hoodie that's attached to it, and a pair of Common Project white sneakers.

Why does he have to look this good? Why???

We make eye contact, but he breaks it to see who I'm standing next to; his happy expression turning into a mix of dismay and shock. Like he can't believe that I'm actually here with Jimmy.

I'm not surprised to see Brooks here even though he went to Miller High like me. Brooks is at every party. In fact, I hate to say it, but he's known for making the parties more fun.

I expect Brooks to make his way over to me, taunt me a little, say something that will annoy the shit out of me but, deep down, really love. But he doesn't, and I'd be lying if I said that the feeling doesn't sting. Instead, he proceeds for a blonde-haired girl that's standing in the corner of the room, and I can't help but stare and wonder what they're talking about.

"Here, let me take your jacket," Jimmy says, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Thanks," I say, maneuvering my arms out of the sleeves.

"Can I get you something to drink?" he asks, but I politely decline because in about 10 minutes, I'll be calling myself an Uber.

Jimmy makes his way to the bar cart, and I see a girl walk over to him. It doesn't bother me, though. And that's saying something.

I'm glancing around the room, my right hand stretched across my body as it holds onto my left arm, when Brooks walks up to me, nudging my shoulder.

"Congrats," he says, his body centered as he takes in the room.

I turn to the side to look at him, squinting my eyes out of confusion. "For what?"

"Finally landing the man of your dreams. Gotta admit, Red, I didn't think that you could do it. But you proved me wrong."

I chuckle, taking Brooks comment as a compliment. "He's not the man of my dreams," I say, and Brooks turns to face me.

"What do you mean?" he asks, curiosity apparent in his tone.

"I don't know," I say, shrugging my shoulders. "I don't think that we're the best match for each other."

Brooks centers his body again, and I look at him, noticing a faint smirk on his face.

"What's that look for, huh?" I ask him. 

"What look?"

I reach for the corner of his mouth with my finger. "That smirk. Right there," I say, pressing into his skin. "I see it."

He tilts his head to the side, laughing, and it's probably the cutest thing that I've ever seen in my life.

"Did I just make Brooks Caldwell laugh? Oh my god, what is happening to this world?" I tease, and he clutches my finger with his.

"Don't flatter yourself, Red," he teases back, but our laughter is cut short when Jimmy approaches with a drink in his hand.

"Caldwell," he calls out, and Brooks composes himself.

"Daniels," he greets Jimmy back.

"Clay said you weren't making it out of the house tonight. What happened?"

Brooks glances at me. "Change of heart," he says, shrugging his shoulders.

Jimmy's eyes peer from Brooks to me, and he takes a sip of the drink that he's holding.

"Hope you're not driving her home later," Brooks says, nodding at the cup.

"Relax, homie, it's one drink."

"Yeah, it better be," Brooks asserts, glaring at Jimmy before looking at me again. "I'll see you both around."

We watch Brooks walk away, and I can't help but wish he wouldn't.

"What's up his ass?" Jimmy mutters, but I ignore him.

"I think I'm going to call it a night."

"What? No. You can't. We just got here."

"I have work tomorrow." I state. Plus, I'm getting sick of him telling me what I can and cannot do.

"Yeah, but that's tomorrow's problem."

Like he would know. Kid hasn't worked a day in his life.

"Thank you for dinner," I say, and he drops his shoulders in defeat.

"You're welcome," he says disappointingly. "Can I at least get a kiss goodnight?"

I immediately start to panic, mainly because I don't know that I want to kiss him. How insane? Me, Remi Baker, the girl who was in love with Jimmy Daniels all this time, doesn't know if she wants to kiss him now. Wait until I tell Bella this one.

I do, however, want to see if there's a physical spark between us, which is why I move my lips towards his and give him a soft kiss – nothing more than that.

If I'm being honest, the kiss has me feeling a little empty inside, so I decide to pull back.

"Goodnight," I quietly say.

I step outside and immediately call for an Uber, the app telling me that my car will be here in 6 minutes.

I wait, wrapping my hands across my arms, brushing the skin with my palms. It's chilly out. How did I not bring a jacket tonight?

Wait a minute, I did. It was a jean jacket and Jimmy took it from me when we walked into the house.

I have 5 minutes until the Uber gets here, so I hastily make my way inside, looking for it.

I open the first door that I see, but it's not the coat closet. I open another door, but it's not there either.

I don't want to have to find Jimmy, but he's the only one who will be able to help me, so I search the room for his face.

And a few seconds later, I find him.

But that's not all that I find.