Page 127 of Glitched Play

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize." His voice is warm with a hint of disappointment lining his words.

"Just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"If somebody finally caught your attention..." I close my eyes. "...make sure he deserves it."

My throat suddenly feels tight.

"I will."

After we hang up, I stare at my phone for several long seconds.

What are we?

The question circles my thoughts all afternoon.

Because if Chase had asked me that six months ago...

I'd have said yes without hesitation.

Today...

I couldn't even imagine wanting to spend an evening with anyone except Witt.

By the time the workday winds down and everything is marked off my to-do list, I reach one unavoidable conclusion—I need to talk to Witt. Not because I need labels, because I need honesty.

Before I can have that conversation, though, another thought slips in.

Witt surprised me yesterday, taking me somewhere that mattered to him.

He showed me a piece of himself.

Maybe...

I can do something for him.

The idea arrives all at once.

Dinner.

Not takeout.

Not delivery.

Something homemade.

Something that says thank you for opening his world to me.

How hard can cooking be?

Three grocery bags and one optimistic recipe later... I have my answer.

Very hard.

The first warning sign is the smoke alarm.