Page 80 of The Rookie

“Good.” I cross my arms, watching him carefully. “Got all that?”

“Oh, I got it.” He stands, moving closer until he’s only a step away. The playful glint in his eyes softens just a little. “Now you want to hearmyrules?”

“You have rules?”

“Of course.” He grins, leaning down slightly so we’re eye level. “Rule one:No overthinking.”

“That’s not even a real rule.”

“It’s a real rule for you.”

I glare at him, but I don’t argue.

“Rule two,” Griffin continues, his voice dropping just a little. “You have to admit when you’re enjoying yourself.”

“That’s—”

He cuts me off with a smirk. “If you smile, laugh, or—God forbid—moan, you have to admit I’m great at what I do.”

I groan, smacking his shoulder lightly. “You’re impossible.”

“Rule three,” he says, straightening up. “If either of us wants to stop, we stop.No questions asked. No drama. Just red roses.”

I blink, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. For the first time, he looks completely serious.

“Okay,” I say quietly. “Deal.”

And then, because of course he can’t help himself, he grins again.

“Rule four:You have to call me the best you’ve ever had.Not now, of course. After the first time.”

I throw my notebook at him, but he catches it easily, laughing as he backs away.

“Relax, Sinclair. Rules are rules.”

twenty-four

. . .

Griffin

Avery doesn’t movefor a moment after she sets her phone down, just staring at me like she’s trying to work through something in her head. I’m about to make a joke to break the silence when she tilts her head, her voice soft but teasing.

“So,” she says, biting her lip. “Are you going to come sit on my bed, or what?”

My heart jumps, slamming against my ribs like it’s trying to escape. For a split second, I wonder if she’s messing with me—testing me like she always does. But there’s no challenge in her eyes, no playful smirk tugging at her lips.

This is real.

I swallow hard, nerves bubbling up in my chest for the first time in I don’t know how long. I’ve joked with Avery, teased her endlessly, but now that we’re here—I feel like a nervous kid again.

“Yeah,” I manage, my voice rougher than I intend. “Yeah, okay.”

I stand and cross the small space between our beds, sitting down beside her like it’s nothing. But it doesn’t feel like nothing.My body feels too big, too hot, tooawareof her sitting just inches away.

Avery shifts to face me, her bare shoulder brushing against my arm. “You look nervous, Knox.”

“Me? Nervous?” I scoff, trying to sound casual. “Please.”

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