Priya: Everythingwhen you let it air dry and hope for the best.
Me: I don’t “hope for the best.”
Priya: You absolutely do. Use product—the stuff in the yellow container. FINN, I KNOW YOU. NOT THE WHOLE BOTTLE.
Me: I wasn’t going to use the whole bottle.
Priya: Liar. Gotta go. Good luck tonight. Don’t overthink. He already likes you. You already kissed him in front of everyone. Just be yourself.
And then she was gone, and I was alone with my coffee and my thoughts.
Which was dangerous.
Because my thoughts went to:What if last night was just adrenaline? What if the kiss was just a moment and he regrets it? What if the blow job and office encounter were flukes—delicious, horny flukes—that Chase now regretted? What if dinner is awkward? What if I say something stupid? What if—
My phone buzzed. Jesus. What was withpeople today? I almost tossed it aside, sure it was more of Mark’s teasing or Priya’s mothering, but Chase’s name flashed on the screen. I couldn’t open the text fast enough.
Chase: Good morning, handsome. How’d you sleep?
The knot in my stomach loosened.
Me: Great actually. You?
Chase: Better than I have in months. That’s your fault.
Me: My fault?
Chase: My lips tingled all night. Is there such a thing as aftershocks from a kiss? Maybe phantom tongue? Like when someone loses a limb but still feels it tingle?
I laughed out loud right there in my empty apartment.
Me: I’m not medically qualified to answer that. We should consult Priya.
Chase: Still on for dinner tonight?
Me: Absolutely.
Chase: Good. I’m looking forward to it.
Me: Me, too.
Chase: Fair warning: I may be slightly distracted at work today.
Me: Work crazy?
Chase: No. From the kiss.
I sat there on my couch, grinning at my phone like a complete idiot. I even pumped my fist in the air like a hockey player who’d just scored a goal.
Me: Yeah. All of it was pretty good.
Chase: Pretty good? I’m going to need to up my game tonight.
Me: Your game is fine
Chase: FINE? That’s even worse than pretty good.
Me: You know what I mean!
