Page 78 of Well That Happened

The bathroom mirror fogs as I towel off. I run a hand over my jaw, check the trim again. Still me—but the slightly upgraded version.The one who bought condoms today.

Not because I expect anything.

But because hope’s a persistent little bastard.

I can’t stop thinking about the way Rilee looked at me the night of the party.

The way she touched me.

The way shewantedme.

And yeah—she might havesaidwe can’t, but something in her eyes tells me otherwise.

And it’s not just the sex. It’sher.

It’s how she never pretends to be fine when she’s not. How she’s got more grit than half our team and doesn’t even know it. She’s smart.

Hot.

Exhausted in a way I understand.

And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to take some of that weight off her shoulders. Not just tonight.

I pull on jeans, a T-shirt that fits just right, and try not to overthink how much effort I just put into looking like I didn’t try at all.

Then I build the blanket fort of my damn dreams.

Pillows stacked. Piles of blankets draped over my bed for maximum coziness. Popcorn popped and buttered to sinful proportions. Movie queued up. I even lit a candle, then immediately blew it out becausetoo much, Ward, calm down.

I check my phone.

Still no reply.

Except—there it is.

Rilee:Sure.

Just one word. But I exhale like she just saved my night.

Fifteen minutes later, there’s a knock at my bedroom door.

I open it to find her standing there in joggers and a cropped hoodie, hair up, no makeup, and looking better than anyone should have the right to when they’re this tired.

“Hi,” she says, a little breathless. “You said snacks?”

I grin. “Always.”

She steps in, and her eyes immediately land on the setup.

The mountain of pillows. The blanket situation. The popcorn bowl the size of a small tub.

Her smile is soft, caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief.

“You really went all out.”

“I believe in strong aesthetics,” I say, offering her the bowl. “And strategic snack placement.”

She climbs onto my bed and sinks into the fort like she belongs there.

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