“I didn’t have a favorite quote, but my mom painted a John Lennon one on my bedroom wall: ‘It’s weird not to be weird.’” I rest my elbows on the table, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. “I think she wanted me to feel comfortable in my own skin.”
“And did it work?” he asks, his tone genuinely curious.
I shrug. “Mmm … therapy helped more, to be honest.”
Silas laughs, the sound warm and unexpected, his bright blue eyes crinkling at the corners. It catches me off guard—funny, I don’t remember seeing him laugh like this in school. Back then, if he laughed, it was usually at someone else’s expense.
This Silas is different, and I’m still trying to figure out if that’s a good thing. “Favorite movie?” I counter.
He takes a few seconds as if the answer is life or death. “300. Best movie I've ever seen,” he says, oozing confidence. “Yours?”
“Avatar,” I reply.
He snorts, grinning like he’s just uncovered a secret. “Of course, Bunny would be a fan of that movie.”
Without hesitation, I grab a paper napkin, crumple it up, and toss it right between his eyes. Bullseye.
“Hey! What was that?” He laughs even harder, clearly finding my reaction way too entertaining. He reaches for the napkin roll, ready to retaliate, but I snatch it from his hands before he can even try. No way am I letting him waste a napkin.
“Karma,” I say smugly.
“But what did I?—”
Before he can finish, I silence him by shoving half of his croissant into his mouth. I really need to tell my therapist howsatisfyingthis feels. Silas chuckles, still trying to chew, and powdered sugar ends upall overmy face.
“Silas!” I exclaim, my mouth forming a perfect “O” as I wipe at the sugar.
Still laughing, he takes another bite and leaves the rest on the plate while I attempt to brush the white dust off my cheeks. “Come here,” he says, leaning forward and reaching across the table. His fingers gently brush the sugar off my nose. “Damn, you're cute,” he whispers, eyes narrowing with a mischievous glint. “Wait, there’s still some left right here.”
Before I can react, he grabs my chin, pulling me closer. His tongue flicks across my lower lip, then the upper, with deliberate, slow sensuality.
My entire body flushes with heat, and his blue eyes lock onto mine—hunger, lust, and something far more dangerous simmering just beneath the surface.
“Better?” he asks, his voice low.
I nod, speechless.
He leans back in his chair, giving me a half-smile that tells me he knows exactly what he just did. My head is still spinning, my heart racing, and I can’t seem to shake off the dizzying effect of that one simple, devastatingly sensual act.
“What are your guilty pleasures?” Silas asks, hiding behind his coffee cup, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Good question. I scan the room, noticing the soft murmur ofconversations around us, the warmth of the café settling into my bones. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this relaxed in a public place before.
“Come on,” he presses. “You can’t be Mother Teresa. There’s got to be something bad you secretly enjoy.”
I groan, covering my face with both hands. “Okay, fine. My favorite fast-food place uses non-recyclable containers, but I still buy from there. It’s terrible.”
Silas laughs, gently pulling my hands away from my face. “That’s not so bad. You wouldn’t be human if you dideverythingperfectly.”
“Oh, Silas, it’ssobad. Those containers are pure trash, but the food issogood. I swear, I’m taking you there one day. You have to experience it.”
He grins, and it’s the kind of smile that lights up his entire face—his eyes, his mouth, even his eyebrows seem to join in. He looks genuinely happy, and that throws me off. Are we on a date?
“Do you promise?” he says, extending his hand for a handshake.
I take his hand and give him the most vigorous handshake I can manage. He pulls back, feigning injury, shaking out his fingers dramatically. I laugh, a warmth spreading through me. Whatever this is, I’m enjoying it more than I expected.
“Do you regret anything in this life?” I ask, quickly stuffing a piece ofpain au chocolatinto my mouth to mask the anxiety bubbling up inside me.
