“Are you saying my dream is nonsense?”
I laugh, flicking a card at him. He catches it midair, spinning it between his fingers. “Well, you’ve already taught me all your best pickpocketing and card tricks. Maybe we should stick to what we’re good at. Vegas will take us, anyway.”
He flips the card once more before tossing it back at me. “I can do this,” he mutters, more to himself than to me. “I just need to figure out the technique.”
“Maybe I could pretend.” I catch the card and slip it back into the deck. “We could act like we don’t know each other, and I can be your unsuspecting volunteer who you successfully hypnotize.”
“Anyone with eyes can see we’re not strangers, Trouble.”
My heart does a little flip at that. “Oh? And what gives us away?”
He steps even closer, the skateboard dangling casually from one hand. “Could be the way you look at me.”
“How do I look at you?” I challenge, tilting my head up to meet his stare.
“Like I’m the only person in the world.”
“Well,” I hedge as my chest heats, and I hold his gaze. “Maybe you are.”
His smile brightens. “The way I look at you could give us away, too, to be fair.”
“And how is that?”
He leans in even closer and whispers against my lips, “Like you’re mine.”
I chuckle when he doesn’t kiss me, shaking my head when I realize he just stole the cards back from me, as he’s now leaning the skateboard against the wall and putting the cards in his pocket. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it,” he shoots back, grinning.
“Maybe I do.”
The way his hair falls over his forehead, the curve of his smile, the softness in his eyes, I could get lost in him forever.
I loveyou, for sure.
“Tell you what.” He breaks the silence. “I’ll keep working on the hypnosis thing. For now, maybe we can focus on something else we’re good at.”
“Oh? And what’s that?”
He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my skin. “This.” His lips meet mine gently at first, testing, but when I melt into him, he deepens it. It’s warm, sweet, and everything. My hands slide up to his shoulders, pulling him closer as butterflies riot in my stomach. When we finally pull apart, both breathless, he laughs softly. “Maybe you’re all the magic I need.”
“Maybe,” I agree, resting my forehead against his. “But if you ever need a volunteer for your act, I’m willing to fake it.”
He runs his hand over my back. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Anytime,” I tease. “Seriously, Ace, you’re amazing at so many things. Don’t beat yourself up over this hypnosis stuff.”
There’s a thoughtful look on his face when he pulls back. “I guess. I just want us to have the best act Vegas has ever seen.”
“We will. Between your sleight of hand and my charm, they’ll never know what hit them.”
His smirk returns, slow and confident. “Your charm, huh?”
“Absolutely,” I say, lifting my chin with mock arrogance. “I’m delightful.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
We settle down on the worn steps, back-to-back, leaning on each other, while I pull out my match case, striking one with a flick of my thumb. The flame flickers, casting a warm glowagainst the deepening evening. I roll the lit match between my fingers, feeling the slight warmth until it becomes too hot, and I blow it out, leaving the scent of sulfur lingering briefly in the air.
