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“Fine.”

“You sure?” His voice drops, low and quiet. “’Cause you’ve been looking at me all day like I’m a pop quiz you didn’t study for.”

I go still. My hands rest on the shelf, bracing.

He’s not touching me. But I swear I feel the heat of him at my back.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I whisper.

“With the googly eyes or with me?”

“Both.”

His breath is near my ear now. “You don’t have to know. Just... be here.”

I finally turn, slowly.

And we’re face to face.

Close.

Jason’s smile fades a little—not gone, just softened. His eyes dip to my mouth. I hold my breath.

I think he’s going to kiss me.

I think I’m going to let him.

Then a crash from outside makes us both flinch.

Kids laughing. Someone tripped over the fire pit wood pile again.

Jason groans. “I swear, these gremlins have sixth senses.”

I exhale shakily. “Probably for romance. Like mosquitoes but more obnoxious.”

He grins. “Later, then?”

I nod.

Heart hammering.

“Later.”

CHAPTER 8

JASON

The day starts weird, which should’ve been my first clue.

I’m halfway through my first plate of pancakes—yes,first,don’t judge me—and doing my usual rounds of yelling “No dodgeball before 9 a.m.” when I spot someone new standing by the bulletin board.

She’s hot.

I mean, objectively.

Tall, sleek, with these high cheekbones that look like they were crafted by elves and a sports bra that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. She’s scanning the announcements with this breezy confidence, like she’s been here a hundred times.

I wander over, because... of course I do.