They always have certain expectations of me, wanting me to play some sort of role that I’ve never felt comfortable in.
There’s always that spark at the beginning—something about them that makes me curious, makes me want to know more, so I ask them out.
But usually halfway through the first date, I can tell it’s not right, like we’re playing two different games on the same field. Any spark that was there immediately disappears, like it was never actually there in the first place.
I glance over at Colten. His hands are on the wheel again, steady and controlled. I think about those hands somewhere else.
And immediately I have to think about something else to make sure I don’t glow.
It’s different with Colten.
With him, I’m not stuck in my own head. He won’t even let me try. He just pulls me in and demands my attention, like there is nowhere else for it to go.
And I give it to him, easily, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I exhale slowly, watching the road stretch out ahead of us.
Is this really all because of the spell?
…It has to be, right?
Julian didn’t seem convinced, and Rowan was kind of on the fence, but something has to explain why my brain is suddenly likeyes, this, I need morewhen it comes to Colten.
After all, I’m straight. Obviously.
If I wasn’t, I would’ve kissed himwaybefore now.
I glance at him again.
He notices this time. He doesn’t look at me, but I can see it—the way his shoulders go a little stiffer, the way his ears start to turn pink. And then his cheeks, before the pink slips down his neck, under his shirt collar.
I grin and let my gaze linger deliberately, watching the flush deepen to a rosy red.
He clears his throat. “Can you stop molesting me with your eyes?”
“Just appreciating the view,” I say.
He sighs heavily. “Watch the road.”
“I’m not driving.”
“Then watch something that isn’t me.”
“No,” I say easily. Even if I could, why would I want to when Colten is right there looking like that?
His grip tightens slightly on the wheel.
I want to kiss him.
Not like how it was at his mom’s house, where everything was fast and a little out of control. Or even how it was behind the equipment shed, hot and confusing desperation.
I want to just press my lips against him and feel the warm flush of his skin, because he’s right there.
I peek at my hands, worried, but there’s not even a trace of glowing to be found.
Nothing. Huh. I’m not sure if that’s reassuring or not.
Oh well.
