Page 79 of Well That Happened

“You look…” she starts, then catches herself.

“Clean?” I offer.

“Unexpectedly well-groomed for a guy who lives in a house full of athletes.”

“Not the first time I’ve heard that tonight.”

She grabs a handful of popcorn. “Are you always this prepared?”

“Only when it matters.”

Her gaze flicks to mine.

And I know we’re thinking about the same thing.

The party. Sneaking away to this very room. The breathless, perfect mess of her mouth on mine.

But I don’t push.

Instead, I hit play.

And settle in beside her.

Close—but not too close.

Yet.

We’re about twenty minutes into the movie when it happens.

It’s not a dramatic moment.

It’s just her laugh.

Quiet. Unfiltered. A soft exhale as she chuckles and leans a little closer into my side.

And suddenly, I’m useless.

Because all I can think about is how good she smells. Like vanilla and that shampoo she uses. The curve of her hip is brushing mine under the blanket. Her bare ankle is resting just barely against my leg.

And I’m not watching the movie anymore.

I’m watchingher.

Her lashes flutter. She bites her lip like she’s trying not to smile.

And then she looks up at me.

That one look short-circuits every rational thought in my head.

I should not kiss her.

She told me not to.

She said this would make things complicated.

But she’s still looking at me like shewantscomplicated.

I keep my voice low. “Can I ask you something?”

---