Page 25 of Wanna Bet?

He nodded. “After it happened I just stopped mentioning them. People don’t know what to say. They either get weird or overly nice.” He picked at the seam of his jeans. “You didn’t.”

Her chest warmed unexpectedly.

“I don’t do overly nice,” she said.

“I noticed.”

She smirked faintly. “You’re welcome.”

He glanced at her, eyes clearer now despite the haze. “I like it.”

Her stomach flipped.

Nope. Stop that feeling immediately.

She pushed herself upright and brushed grass off her legs. “Okay, emotional vulnerability quota reached. We need a topic change before I start journaling about my inner child.”

He laughed softly as he stood too. “Deal. New topic.”

She pointed at him. “Favorite movie.”

He blinked. “That’s your interrogation question?”

“Yes. Answer carefully. This determines whether I keep hanging out with you.”

He pretended to consider. “Probably The Crow.”

Her brows shot up. “Okay, unexpected. Dark. Moody. Leather aesthetic. I see you.”

He looked faintly embarrassed. “It’s good.”

“I didn’t say it wasn’t,” she teased. “I’m just updating your profile in my head.”

“And what was it before?”

“Sad indie boy who alphabetizes his feelings.”

He snorted. “I don’t alphabetize my feelings.”

“Color-code them?”

“…maybe.”

She laughed, and he smiled, and the moment settled around them warm and easy. And without warning, something inside Myah softened.

It wasn’t fireworks. It wasn’t obsession. It wasn’t the frantic dizzy rush she usually felt when her brain decided someone was Important.

This was slower. Warmer. Scarier. Because it felt real.

You’re doing it. You’re getting attached. You’re making him matter.

Her ex’s voice echoed from memory: You’re too intense, Myah. It’s a lot.

She swallowed hard. Maybe she should stop smoking.

“Hey.” Jace’s voice pulled her back.

She blinked. “Yeah?”