“I can try.”
“That’s not confidence-inspiring.”
“Okay. I will try very hard.” I narrow my eyes, but continue.
“Two. No cheesy lines.”
He scoffs, looking offended. “I don’t do cheesy lines.”
“You absolutely do.”
“Those are thoughtful statements.”
“They’re not.”
He sighs. “Fine. Reduced cheese.”
“Zero cheese.”
“That feels restrictive.”
“Deal with it.”
He nods reluctantly. “Three,” I continue, “If I say I’m fine, you are allowed to question it only twice. After that, you back off or…” I inhale deeply, thinking of something that would actually work on him, “Or I will block you for twenty-four hours.”
He gasps and clutches his chest as if I twisted a knife in him, I roll my eyes, “Sunshine, that’s not fair.”
“Does it look like I care?”
He pouts a bit but nods and I almost want to laugh at how endearing he looks but shake my head because what the hell, I don’t find people endearing.
“Four. You don’t get to remember every small thing about me.” I scowl, “It’s unfair considering I don’t remember much.”
He chuckles, “I don’t intentionally do it, Sunshine.” He kisses the back of my hand, “It comes naturally to me, as naturally as breathing.” He shrugs so casually as if he hasn’t just made my heart skip a beat.
There’s one more. The one that sits heavier than the rest. My voice drops slightly. “And…” I look away from him, “Don’t make me get used to you…if you’re going to leave.” The words come out softer than I intend. Barely above a whisper. For a second, he doesn’t respond.
And that silence—it scares me more than anything else. His fingers brush my cheek, warm and steady. “You better get used to me, Sunshine,” he says quietly with a voice so steady as if he’s promising me that he’s going to be right beside me. And somehow, that feels safer.
My chest tightens.
My instincts are still screaming.
This is risky.
This is stupid.
This is everything you’ve avoided.
So why—Why am I not walking away? Why am I still standing here? Why does the thought of saying no feel worse than saying yes? Because he makes me feel seen. Because he makes things quieter inside my head. Because for the first time in years, I don’t feel like I’m carrying everything alone. And because I like him. I really like him.
I exhale slowly. “Fine.”
His eyes widen slightly. “Fine?” he repeats.
“Don’t make it a big deal.”
“I’m trying not to.”
