Page 143 of Silver Fox Puck

She gasps. “I knew it. I knew this one was going to stick around if you did. The way you talked about him? You were totally doomed.”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, calm down.”

“Nope. Not happening. Next question: Are you in love with him?”

My stomach flips.

Because it shouldn’t be this hard of a question to answer.

Talia goes quiet.

I exhale slowly, pressing my fingers to my lips. “I… don’t know.”

I hear her inhale like she’s about to call me out, but I beat her to it. “Don’t say anything.”

She pauses. Then, softer, “Kenzie.”

I sigh. “I just—I didn’t plan for this. I didn’t expect this. And now, I don’t know what to do with it.”

She’s silent for a long moment. Then—

“Well. Have you considered the radical concept of just… letting yourself be happy?”

I laugh dryly. “Yeah, because that always works out.”

“Kenz.”

I close my eyes. “I know. I just…”

I swallow.

Because Talia’s right.

I am happy.

And that? That’s terrifying.

Because happiness means I have something to lose.

Talia sighs. “You don’t have to say it yet, babe. But when you’re ready? Just don’t let fear be the reason you don’t.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Thanks, T.”

She hums. “So… you really let the Silver Fox steal your heart, huh?”

I groan. “Goodbye, Talia.”

Her laughter echoes through the phone as I hang up.

After I hang up with Talia, I just sit there.

My apartment is quiet. Too quiet.

The kind of quiet that lets thoughts creep in.

I pull my knees up to my chest, staring at my phone like it might give me answers. Like it might tell me what the hell I’m supposed to do with everything I’m feeling.

Because I am feeling something.

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