Chapter 18 DEBBY
“Say that again.”
Debby’s voice was sharp, her eyes burning into Rachel.
Rachel smirked, obviously enjoying what was happening.
“I said,” Rachel repeated, slowly, “Kyle’s friends made a bet on you. They said Kyle was hot enough to get you into his bed.”
Silence.
Debby’s stomach churned.
She turned to Kyle. Her expression was unreadable. Kyle stepped toward her, but she threw up a hand.
“Don’t,” she said, voice tight.
Kyle’s jaw ticked. He turned back to Rachel. “Get out.”
Rachel pouted, making no effort to move.
Kyle shoved the door open. “Now.”
Rachel rolled her eyes and dragged her feet toward the exit. Deliberately slow. Kyle had enough. He grabbed her arm, pushed her out, and slammed the door shut.
The room was quiet.
Except for the pounding in Debby’s chest.
Kyle turned to her. “Debby, listen—”
She sank onto the couch, burying her head between her knees.
Kyle’s heart squeezed. He took a hesitant step forward. “Debby—”
She didn’t respond.
Kyle raked a hand through his hair, his fingers tightening at the roots. How the hell did this happen?
Minutes passed.
Finally, she lifted her head and her eyes landed on something. The necklace on the floor. She picked it up. Her breath hitched when she saw her name engraved on it. She slowly looked up at Kyle, eyes searching.
Kyle swallowed. “It’s yours.”
Debby’s fingers tightened around the necklace. “Did you know?”
Kyle frowned. “What?”
“What Rachel said,” she clarified, voice shaky. “Did you know about the bet?”
Kyle’s eyes darkened. “No.”
She studied him. “You swear?”
“On my life.”
Debby hesitated. She wanted to believe him. But how could she be sure?
Kyle sighed. “The only thing I knew was that Joe has a crush on you.”
Debby’s eyes widened. “Joe?”
Kyle nodded.
She shook her head, stunned.
“But… he never said a word to me. I’ve known Joe since elementary school. We barely spoke until tonight.”
Kyle scoffed. “Yeah, well. Apparently, he’s been carrying a torch for you for a while.”
Debby let out a breath.
Kyle crossed his arms, watching her carefully. “What did he say to you tonight?”
Debby blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“When he came up to you,” Kyle clarified, voice firm but calm, “what did he say?”
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, hesitating before answering. “He asked me to dance.”
Kyle’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And?”
Debby shifted on her feet, feeling strangely exposed under his gaze. “I said no. Politely.”
Kyle exhaled, his shoulders relaxing just a little. There was a brief silence before he asked, “Do you like him?”
Her head snapped up. “What?”
He shrugged, his expression unreadable. “Do you find him attractive? In any way?”
Debby frowned. “Why does that matter?”
Kyle didn’t look away. “Just answer.”
She let out a slow breath, thinking for a moment before replying. “I don’t know. I never thought about it.”
Kyle’s jaw twitched, but he said nothing.
The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Debby cleared her throat, suddenly aware of how close they were. “We should head back before people notice.”
Kyle’s expression darkened. “Why do you care?”
She froze.
He stepped forward, closing the small space between them. “Why does it matter what they think?”
Debby opened her mouth, but no words came out. She didn’t have an answer.
Kyle studied her for a moment, then his gaze flickered to the necklace on the floor. Without a word, he bent down, picked it up, and held it out to her.
“I got this for you.”
Debby stared at it, her fingers twitching at her sides.
“Why?” she whispered.
His lips pressed into a thin line, but his voice was steady. “Because I wanted to.”
Then, without another word, he turned away, walking to the bar and pouring himself a drink.
Debby let out a quiet sigh, her heart unsettled. “Are you mad?”
Kyle didn’t answer.
She bit her lip, taking a hesitant step forward. “Kyle—”
Before she could finish, he turned.
In one swift motion, he closed the distance between them, his arms wrapping around her, holding her tight.
Debby stiffened, her heart pounding against her ribs.
Kyle buried his face in her shoulder, his voice barely above a whisper. “I was planning to ask you something… before that bitch Rachel came in.”
Debby held her breath.
Slowly, he pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. His voice was quiet, but there was a raw honesty in it. “My parents’ marriage was a disaster. But I still believe in love. I believe I deserve it.”
Debby’s lips parted, but no words came out.
Kyle’s fingers brushed gently against her cheek, his touch warm. “I want you to believe in love too.”
Her pulse skipped, her chest tightening.
“What are you saying?” she whispered.
Kyle didn’t answer with words. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her.
It was soft, brief, but enough to make her world tilt.
When he pulled away, she was breathless, her head spinning.
And then, to her complete shock, Kyle dropped to one knee.
Debby’s eyes widened as he stretched out a hand toward her, a hopeful smile playing on his lips.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
