Five Out of Five - Why Don't We

Thirty-Two: New Year's

"I guess it has been awhile," Kira said with a smile and Corbyn chuckled. "Daniel and I went right to sleep after you guys picked us up from the airport last night and you and I didn't talk much while I was gone. You have to tell me about your Christmas."

"Oh, it was so much fun," Corbyn said and he smiled. "My family decided to go up to a ski resort. I went snowboarding with my dad and Jordan. Took some sick videos. I'll have to show you later. My mom made some incredible food. Ashley beat all of us at Monopoly. Several times. Overall, it was a really nice Christmas. How was yours? I guess you and Daniel must have spent a lot of time together."

They both laughed. Kira looked around the hallway as they walked. There were some pictures on the wall and every few feet there was a small table with flowers on it. The lights were fairly dim. To their left, there were translucent windows that gave them a glimpse of the party outside. 

"I honestly forgot how much fun our families have together," Kira said. "Being around everyone brought back so many fun memories from when Daniel and I were in high school. Kinda made me miss it a little. I haven't seen my family as much in the last few years. I had some really good talks with my mom though. My dad and I went on a lot of walks together. I spent more time with all my nieces and nephews. Jared and I aren't speaking right now though."

"Wait, why?" Corbyn asked with his brow furrowed. 

For a moment, Kira had forgotten that not everyone knew. She couldn't tell Corbyn exactly what happened because then she'd have to admit he wasn't the only one. 

"He um...he just said some...choice words to me," Kira mumbled. "And then Daniel yelled at him. Which I really appreciated, but I think there's absolutely no chance of getting Jared to like Daniel now."

Kira laughed it off. Corbyn watched her for a minute and wondered if he should press further. But it was pretty clear she didn't want to say much else. He was quiet for a minute as he thought of what to say next. He knew what he wanted to talk about, but he was scared to bring it up. He was worried Kira wouldn't like it. But he needed to say it. 

"Hey, so I was thinking the other day," he said quickly. He cleared his throat a few times and Kira looked up at him expectantly. They stopped walking. Corbyn cleared his throat again and he didn't quite meet her eyes. "Would you...would you uh...would you wanna get dinner? Sometime this week?"

Kira smiled up at him and he felt more reassured. 

"Yeah, we can do dinner," she said sweetly. "I'm not sure why you're being so weird about it. You and I get dinner all the time."

She turned and started walking down the hallway again. Corbyn's heart sank. 

"No, that's not what I meant," he said. Kira stopped and turned back around to face him. "I meant like, do you want to get dinner...as a date?"

They were both frozen now. Corbyn was anxious to hear her answer and Kira was too scared to speak. He wanted to go on a date? Even after she specifically told him she wanted to keep this casual?

"Corbyn," Kira said quietly. He could already hear the hesitance in her voice.

"Look, I know you said you didn't want a relationship," Corbyn spoke before she could turn him down. He at least wanted to get an explanation out first. "I really like what we have and the sex is great. And I know you want to keep it just that. Sex and nothing else. But I can't do that. I can't just sleep with a girl and not take her out and do special things for her. It doesn't feel right. Especially because it's you, Kira. I want to take you out to dinner. I want to make you feel special. And we don't even have to have sex after-"

"Corbyn, I thought I made myself clear when we were in Utah," she said quietly.

"I know, but that was over a month ago. Are you really telling me you haven't changed your mind at all since then?" Corbyn pressed. He stepped down the hall so he was standing in front of her again.