Page 106 of Puck Lust

“Mom, this is a little different,” Dad says.

“No,” Gran says sternly. “He’s making a case for himself.”

“I agree,” Ally sings out. “Make him see all the great things, Carter.”

My fingers wrap tight around the steering wheel as I turn the corner and pull onto Jack’s tree-lined street.

Today, there’s a spot right in front of his building.

Maybe it’s a sign.

I usually have to drive around the block ten times before I get lucky and a spot opens up.

This is too easy.

Maybe that should make me nervous.

I maneuver my truck into the space and put it in Park before turning off the ignition.

“I appreciate the pep talk or whatever this is supposed to be,” I say. “But I just got to Jack’s place and I’m going back in.”

“Good luck, sweetie,” Mom says. “We’re all rooting for you.”

“Livvie’s not,” Gigi says with a snicker.

I roll my eyes. I love them but Jesus.

Sometimes they’re too much.

“Hold strong, son,” Dad says. “He’ll eventually come around.”

“Thanks.” I end the call and let out a shaky breath, just like I’ve done every day that I’ve shown up here.

I get out of the truck, then go around to the passenger sideand pull out the bags of treats from Crumble and Whisk, the bakery Jack loves. I’ve switched it up every day, different meals, foods, gag gifts, cards. And today, I went a little crazy at the bakery, buying cheesecake, his favorite lemon blueberry cake, cookies, brownies, creamy tarts, and doughnuts.

Hopefully, Jeremy has a sweet tooth, too, since there’s enough in the bags to put them both into a sugar coma for days.

I walk into the building and stop at the security desk.

“What’s good, Howie?” I ask, holding out a box of cookies for him. Poor guy has had to put up with me all week. Cookies are the least I can do.

Howie’s eyes widen when he takes in the bag of sweets. “Is Mr. Larson having a party?”

“Yep. Only I wasn’t invited,” I say. “Would you mind taking this stuff up to him for me?”

Howie nods and taps his fingers on the desk, eyeing me. “You know there’s a video on Reddit…”

“Yeah. I know all about it.”

“I just saw it this morning,” he says. “And all week, you’ve been coming here with all this stuff but you don’t take it up yourself…was it a mistake, that kiss?”

With a tight throat, I shake my head. “It was probably the best thing that could have happened. But I wasn’t ready for it.”

His eyebrow lifts. “And now you are?”

I nod. “He doesn’t want to see me, but I want him to know I’m here for him. That I always will be.” A grin lifts my lips. “Sorry, that was probably too much information.”

“No, no,” Howie says. “I asked.” He picks up the phone and dials Jack’s apartment. His eyes focus on me as he talks. “Mr. Larson, I have a delivery for you from Mr. Van Kleef. Should I bring it up?”

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