"Get bitten by a rattlesnake or a black widow?"

"How about...I live?" Danielle laughed, biting into her macaroni and cheese.

"That's no fun!" Austin said, laughing.

"Because it's a load of fun being bitten by poisonous creatures," Danielle remarked sarcastically. Austin smiled and shook his head, twirling his spaghetti around his fork. "What about you?"

"Probably a rattlesnake, just because spiders make me nervous. Have you heard about that one time a spider ate through my flesh? It was disgusting."

She laughed at him.

"I'm serious!" He said with a laugh before stuffing the twirled up spaghetti in his mouth. "Plus I like snakes. I like all animals."

"You're something else, Austin, with your crazy, random 'would-you-rather' questions."

"I just like to make things fun and interesting—especially on tour. Singing those songs on stage helps me get through the day. Talking to fans and hearing them tell me their life story and about how I saved their life is what helps me fall asleep loving who I've become." He met her eyes, which were staring intently at him, intrigued. "And what about you?"

"Me?" She raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"What do you love about touring so far?"

A crooked smile plastered on her face. "Knowing that I've got a unique way of showing my battle scars—without actually showing them. For people to feel a connection with my songs is just amazing. And I mean, years ago, I never would have thought I would be here in California, sitting in a diner with Austin Carlile."

"You worked hard for it." Austin smiled at her; she looked down, feeling slightly embarrassed.

They called for the check and paid at the front desk, walking back to the venue.

"So, how's the boyfriend this evening?" He asked, shoving his hands in his jacket's pockets.

"Wouldn't know," Danielle said flatly. "I haven't answered him since this morning. The constant texts have finally stopped. I'll probably text him before I go to sleep."

Austin nodded curtly. "Just remember, we're here for you."

Once they got to the buses, Austin walked Danielle over to hers. He leaned against the door and looked studiously at the ground. She watched him awkwardly, unsure of why he was leaning against the only entrance to her bus and not saying a word.

"Do you think I'm leading you on?" He peeked up at her from beneath his lashes.

She stared at him, shocked. That was unexpected.

"Why would you say that?" She asked cautiously.

"People are saying I am...and I'm sorry if I come off that way."

Her mouth dropped. She didn't know what to say, so she just laughed it off, trying to find the right words to say.

"Don't worry, Austin, I didn't really read into it." She went to climb the steps of her bus, wanting to get away now and end this whole awkward situation.

"I don't believe that." He grabbed her arm back and looked at her with sad eyes. "You just deserve to know the truth. I like you, Danielle, but I don't want you to think I'm looking for something I'm not."

Her heart felt like it was sinking. She bit her lip back and nodded, quickly looking away from those puppy-dog eyes. "Okay. I'm tired though, I really want to just hit the road and go to bed."

He nodded. But before he let her go, he pulled her into a long hug. She wasn't sure where he was going with this, but all she needed was for someone to see and tweet/Instagram about it. She pulled away once she felt like it was going on much longer than it needed to and smiled at him awkwardly. Finally, he said goodnight quietly and walked away, leaving her hanging with wonder.

She watched him curiously until he climbed aboard his bus. Once he disappeared, she shook the wandering thoughts from her head and opened her door, silently walking inside without a word to the rest of her band, knowing all they would do was tease her—and that was the last thing she wanted after that conversation.