“Is it safe to assume this isn’t really about pizza?”
He stepped inside, quietly closing the door behind him.
Beth swallowed. “I’m not angry.”
“I didn’t say you were.” He leaned back against the doorframe, arms folded.
“You ready for some hard truths?”
Beth sniffed, finally facing him. “Harder than the morning I just had?”
Bryce’s expression softened. “Different kind of hard.”
Beth exhaled slowly, straightened her shoulders, and wiped her eyes. “Lay it on me,” she said in a quiet voice.
“I think you should stay here tonight.”
Beth blinked. “Here?”
He smirked. “Yeah. Your apartment. Your comfort zone.”
“I… but I thought—Oh.”
“Lizzy.” He stepped closer, gently cupping her arms. “You’ve had a long day. A brutal day. Unless I’m mistaken, you’re about two seconds away from a full-on meltdown.”
Relief warred with guilt. “I told you I’d come—”
“I know. But I think what you need tonight is rest. You’ll get your best rest here, where you feel safe. Where you can breathe.”
Beth let out a slow breath, searching his eyes. “I feel bad. You’re really okay with that?”
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Sweetheart, I told you my master plan yesterday. I’m thrilled I get to put your needs before my wants. I want to take care of you.”
Her stomach flipped.
“You are?”
Bryce grinned. “Oh, absolutely. Because every romantic gesture, every kind word, every gentle touch…” his voice slowed, his steps measured as he stalked toward her, closing the gap between them, “brings me closer.”
Beth’s knees hit the edge of the bed as she backed away from him.
“Closer to what?” she asked warily.
Leaning in, Bryce lightly placed his hands on her shoulders and whispered softly against her ear, “To pushing you over the edge so you fall head over heels in love with me.”
With a teasing grin, he nudged her shoulders—just enough to send her tumbling backward onto the bed.
Beth let out a startled laugh. “Oh, my word.”
Bryce smirked, crossing his arms. “Well, would you look at that? Looks like you’re already starting to fall for me.”
Beth narrowed her eyes at him, still sprawled out on the bed. “I can’t believe you.”
“I mean, I wasn’t expecting it to happen this soon, but I’ll take it.”
Beth threw an arm over her face, laughter spilling out in uncontrollable waves. “You’re impossible.”
