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“Didn’t want anybody close enough.”
The answer comes out rougher than I intend but Clara doesn’t make it bigger than it is. That’s one of the things I like about her. She just touches my chest. “So we’re both terrified.”
“I’m not terrified.”
“Of course not.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
I catch her hand and kiss her palm.
Her smile disappears. “Ryder?”
“Yeah?”
“Evan always made me feel like saying no disappointed him.”
Everything in me goes still.
She looks straight at me. “You make me want to say yes.”
Fuck.
I slide my hand behind her neck. “Then you say yes when you want to.”
“And if I say no?”
“I stop.”
“No sulking?”
“No.”
“No asking why?”
“No.”
“No making me feel guilty?”
“Never.”
Her fingers curl into my shirt. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes.”
I kiss her. Slower this time.
No audience.
No fake relationship.
No asshole ex across the room.
Just Clara.
