Page 200 of Banter & Blushes

I clutch the strap of my purse like it might anchor me, but it doesn’t. Not with Reid looking at me like that.

“Today was . . .” I start, but the words get lost somewhere between my heart and my mouth.

He nods, his voice low. “Something else.”

We stand there, inches apart, both unsure what to do now.

The silence hums between us like static.

My fingers twitch at my sides. I want to say something. Anything. Ask him what tonight meant. Ask him if he felt it, too—that invisible pull drawing us closer with every second that passed.

But I don’t know how to risk it. Not with him.

Because what if I’ve imagined it all? The looks. The almost-touches. The softness in his voice when he says my name like it means something more.

What if I say it out loud, and he doesn’t feel the same?

What if I lose him?

My throat tightens. The question’s there, begging to be spoken.

Do you love me?

But I can’t ask. I’ve waited so long. Wanted him for so long. And I don’t know if I can handle hearing anything butyes.

So instead of speaking, I take a step back, heading for my side of the bed. I grab my pajamas and retreat to the bathroom, trying to blink away the sting in my eyes as I wash off my makeup.

When I come out, Reid is already under the covers, facing the other side of the room like he’s already gone to sleep.

I climb into my bed slowly, careful not to disturb him with a lot of noise.

I stare up at the ceiling, my chest aching, the ceiling fan casting soft shadows on the walls.

We’re seconds away from something.

Falling apart.

Falling in love.

I honestly can’t tell which.

And that might be the scariest part of all.

CHAPTER 8

REID

The morning of the dolphin swim feels like heaven.

Briella bounces beside me as we wait for the shuttle to the marine center, her beach bag slung over one shoulder, her hair pulled into a high ponytail that sways every time she moves. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. Swimming with dolphins. Like, in real life.”

“You’ve said that about every activity we’ve done this week,” I tease, nudging her playfully.

“That’s because this week has been unreal,” she says, grinning. “But this—this is peak vacation magic.”

She flashes me a look that could light up the whole resort, and I try to act normal even as my heart thumps way too fast in my chest.

The shuttle pulls up, and we climb in. The ride to the marine center is short, the breeze warm through the open windows. Briella’s already got her wristband on, flipping through the resort’s animal encounter guide like it’s the most important document she’s ever held.

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