Page 78 of The Rookie

Me: Then we go back to normal.

Avery: Define normal.

I hesitate. Normal would mean going back to pretending I don’t think about her at the most inconvenient times. Normalwould mean pretending she doesn’t drive me insane—in all the best and worst ways.

Me: The Red Roses grow back. While we’re here there’s no strings. No complications. Just fun.

She doesn’t respond right away, and for the first time tonight, I’m nervous—like maybe I’ve pushed her too far.

But then?—

Avery: And what makes you think I’d agree to that?

Me: Because you want to.

Avery: Goodnight, Griffin.

I exhale, dropping my phone onto my chest with a soft thud, but the grin tugging at my lips doesn’t fade.

I glance across the room at her shadowed form, knowing I’ve just planted a seed that neither of us can ignore.

What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico, huh?

It’s a dangerous game.

But I’ve never been good at playing it safe.

twenty-three

. . .

Avery

The next dayis filled with class and another short excursion, and throughout the the I’m fighting quite the hangover.

So when we get back to the hotel late that afternoon, I’m staring at myself in the mirror, wondering how I’ve gotten here.

I’m truly considering Griffin’s proposal.

There’s a knock on the bathroom door, interrupting my train of thought.

“You alive in there, Sinclair? You’ve been staring at yourself in the mirror for twenty minutes.”

I groan, staring at my reflection like it’s got all the answers. It doesn’t. Just a pink-faced, flustered mess of a girl who’s about to make avery questionabledecision.

I open the door to find Griffin sitting on his bed, legs stretched out, looking relaxed and annoyingly smug. His shirt is gone (of course), and he’s scrolling through his phone like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“What now?” he asks, not bothering to look up. “Need me to tie your shoes?”

“I’ve decided.”

That gets his attention. He glances up, phone slipping onto his lap as he studies me. “Decided what?”

“Your proposal.”

For once, he doesn’t smirk. He just watches me carefully, like he’s trying to gauge whether I’m messing with him or not. I cross my arms, feeling oddly powerful, even as my heart threatens to jump out of my chest.

“I haverules.Real rules this time.”

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