Page 124 of Made for Mayhem

My heart slammed.

It was nothing.

It was everything.

I looked down at the space between us—at his big, open palm resting on the table like an offering. Always patient. Never demanding.

I slipped my hand into his.

Ty’s fingers closed around mine, warm and sure, like this was the most natural thing in the world. And just like that, the room faded. The TVs. The chatter. The clink of glasses. All I could feel was his thumb brushing slow circles over the back of my hand, grounding and gentle and devastatingly kind.

He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to.

This was his silent, I see you. I’ve got you, right when I needed it most.

The server appeared beside the table, balancing two plates. “Two cheeseburgers. Grilled onions on both. Mayo on the side.”

Ty thanked the server, never letting go of my hand. I stared over at him as he picked up his cheeseburger with his left hand and took a bite.

“Really?” I chuckled. “We’re turning this into a three-legged race, but with cheeseburgers?”

“Daisy,” Ty said, then waited until I looked up at him. “I am never going to be the first one to let go. But if you need to, I understand.”

My eyes stung with unshed tears I absolutely would not let fall right now. But I picked up my burger in my right hand and took a bite.

Should I have let go? Probably.

But I couldn’t.

I didn’t want to.

“Okay,” I said, forcing a brightness I didn’t entirely feel. “New rule.”

His thumb paused mid-circle, but his hand stayed steady beneath mine. “Of course there is.”

I nodded, grateful he didn’t argue. “No truths. Only dares.”

He nodded, then took another bite.

I slid the little dish of mayo toward him, and blinked up with a smile.

“Go on. I dare you.”

Ty gave me the most deadpan expression I’d ever seen on him, then dipped the corner of his burger in the condiment. “This is cruel and unusual punishment, sweetheart.”

I grinned. “Go on. Even Junie takes try-bites, right?”

He sighed, then took a bite. His jaw moved slowly, his expression never softening. “If you’re expecting to change my mind, don’t.”

A laugh bubbled out of me, feeling a little manic. I grabbed my phone from across the table and snapped a picture of his grumpy face, then put it back down. “Just in case I ever forget this moment.”

Ty shook his head. “I dare you to eat the rest of your cheeseburger, so we can get out of here.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder, and he dropped a kiss to the top of my head like we’d been doing this for years.

We ate in silence, but this time, the laughter and comfort didn’t ease the tightness in my chest.

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