Page 51 of Wanna Bet?

After another two swimsuits, Ellis finally pointed toward one she'd tossed onto the floor. "What about that one?"

Myah picked it up. The bikini was a deep maroon-pink color. Darker than rose but softer than red. It was actually one of her favorites. She hadn't even considered it because she'd automatically assumed it wasn't exciting enough.

"This one?" She asked, holding it up.

"I like that one."

"Why?"

Ellis shrugged, "It looks like you."

The answer caught her off guard. Not because it was particularly profound, but because nobody had ever really described clothing that way before. Like it matched a person instead of just looking good on them.

Slowly, a smile spread across her face. "You think?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I think Jace will like that one."

Warmth immediately flooded her chest. A ridiculous amount of warmth, way more than the comment deserved.

She clutched the bikini against her chest. "I think this might actually be a date."

Ellis smiled. "I think it might be too."

For a moment neither of them spoke. The apartment felt unusually quiet. It wasn't quiet uncomfortable, just a calm quiet. And suddenly Myah realized how nice it felt to talk to somebody about this. To gush and overanalyze. To be excited. Most of her life she'd done all of that alone, or dumped it onto family members who immediately regretted asking questions.

Ellis listened. He didn't seem annoyed and he didn't tell her she was being dramatic. He just listened. And maybe that was why the question slipped out before she could stop herself.

"Can I tell you something?"

Ellis glanced up from the book he’d apparently been reading between swimsuit changes. "Sure."

She hesitated. The excitement she'd been carrying all afternoon slowly faded. Something heavier replacing it.

Ellis noticed immediately and his smile disappeared. "What is it?"

Myah twisted the bikini strap between her fingers. "I kind of need someone to tell me if I'm a terrible person."

Ellis sat up straighter. The joking mood vanished. "Myah?"

She swallowed. Her heart suddenly hammered against her ribs. Because now that she was here, she wasn't sure how to explain any of it.

But she'd come for advice. And if there was anyone she could tell, maybe it was the guy who barely knew her well enough to already know she was a disaster.

"There was a bet."

Ellis frowned. "A bet?"

Myah nodded. Suddenly, she couldn't look at him. The maroon bikini she'd been holding moments ago felt ridiculous now. Trivial. Everything about today felt trivial compared to the secret she'd been carrying around for weeks, so she told him—all of it. How it had started. How stupid it had been. How she hadn't taken it seriously at first. How she'd thought Jace was going to be some dumb gym bro and exactly the kind of guy she'd never actually fall for.

And then she told him about what happened after. About getting to know Jace. About discovering he was funny and patient and kind. About how every conversation had changed her opinion of him. About how she genuinely liked him now.

By the time she finished speaking, the apartment had gone completely silent and Ellis was staring at her. Not in an angry or shocked way. Just staring.

Myah's stomach twisted. "Say something."

Ellis dragged a hand down his face and exhaled. "That's fucked up."

The words hit her like a slap. Instantly, her defenses shot up. "Oh, wow. Thanks."