Page 40 of Mitch

I didn’t remember much of my conversations with Mitchell’s friends from the other night, including the firefighter, but I did recall they all seemed pretty chill and cool.

I wouldn’t mind us all hanging out together again in the future.

Somewhere in my gut, I knew that was some sort of sign.

Some inkling of destiny, but at the time I fought to ignore it.

“I don’t know, I think you’re pretty hot,” I said, realizing the instant I said it, that I didn’t justthinkit.

My cheeks burned like a five alarm fire as embarrassment flooded me and I hid my face in my hands.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry. I can’t believe I?—”

Mitchell let out the deepest laugh, and within seconds I felt, warm, soft hands pulling at mine. The touch sent a shiver up my spine.

It felt... different.

His warm palm against my skin was smooth, relaxing, and surprisingly gentle.

He pulled my hands down slowly, his dark gaze holding mine. I was acutely aware of the tension between us, and the fact that I couldn’t take my eyes off his lips.

Lips I remembered just how they felt against my own.

“Penn, listen...”

Oh God, this is the part where Icompletely fuck everything up.

This is my early life crisis.

“Uh...”

“You don’t have to be afraid of what you feel. With me, I mean. I’m not going to judge you. I...”

I watched as he swallowed, his gaze softening as he set my hands in my lap, his thumb brushing over my knuckles faintly, as if he too were afraid.

And for some reason, that made me feel better. More at ease.

“I know how...confusing... things can be when you’re trying to figure it all out.”

My blood chilled as I prepared for his rejection.

Why did I care if he rejected me?

It’s not like this was a date, and he wasn’t my?—

Wait, did I want him to be my?—

“I know what it feels like to question things and second guess yourself. But I need you to know it’s okay to feel what you feel. To be who you are. If that’s a guy who likes tall, pretty blondes...”

I frowned, the memory of Amy interrupting us at the coffee shop resurfacing.

Mitchell smirked. “Or a guy wholikes...”

“Tall, dark, and handsome photographers?” I gulped, feeling strangely emboldened by his words.

I watched the grin on his face widen, and his own cheeks tinge pink.

“I like you, Penn. But I don’t want you to think I’m pushing or being too forward or...”

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