A plea.
Not dramatic. Not damsel-in-distress.
Just… choose me.
And that’s all I need.
I step forward smoothly, offering the guy an easy smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.
“Sorry, man. She’s mid-lesson.”
The guy hesitates, reads the room, then backs off with a shrug.
“Another time.”
“Sure,” I say.
When he’s gone, Mindy exhales.
“Thank you.”
“You didn’t want to?”
She shakes her head. “Not even a little.”
Relief punches through me harder than it should.
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You could’ve said no.”
“I know.” She smiles softly. “But I liked that you asked.”
My chest tightens.
She leans up.
This kiss is different again.
Not tentative.
Not exploratory.
Certain.
Her fingers curl into my shirt. Mine settle at her waist.
The world fades.
And somewhere in the back of my mind, something dangerous clicks into place.
I am falling for her.
Fast.
When we pull apart, breathless, I brush my forehead against hers.
“What next?” I ask quietly.
