Page 41 of Well That Happened

He glances up.

Not surprised.

Not tense.

Just… there.

“Hey,” he says.

“Hey.”

I hover near the fridge, unsure whether to run, apologize, or set myself on fire to distract from the awkward.

He puts the pencil down. “Are you avoiding me?”

I blink. “What? No. I’ve just been—”

“Busy?” His mouth lifts just slightly. “You’ve walked out of three rooms I’ve entered today.”

I wince. “Okay. Maybe a little.”

He nods like he expected that. Then gestures to the stool across from him.

“Sit.”

I do.

Because I’m tired of running.

He watches me for a second, then says, “You don’t have to freak out. It was a kiss.”

“It was a lot of kiss.”

He smiles, just a flicker. “Still a kiss.”

I chew on the inside of my cheek. “I also kissed Caleb.”

He nods. No hesitation. “I figured.”

“You’re not… mad?”

“We’re not exclusive, right?”

I shake my head.

“Then there’s no problem,” he says, easy. “Unless you’re making it one.”

My throat tightens. “I just— I didn’t mean to mess things up. I like you. I like him. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Sounds like you’re figuring it out.”

“You’re being very calm about this.”

He shrugs. “Freaking out won’t make you less confused. I like you, Rilee. That hasn’t changed.”

I stare at him.

He’s not saying it to manipulate me. He’s not cornering me. He’s justgiving me spaceto feel what I feel—andstill choosing me anyway.

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