Page 104 of How to Prevent a Fumble

Her eyes instantly sparkle as the corner of her lips tip up. “Of course.”

Walking far too quickly to the kitchen, I kick off my shoes before panicking, trying to figure out where my cologne went. I swear I keep it down here just in case I forget, but it’s not by the front door, and it’s not in any of my jacket pockets. If I were to run upstairs, I don’t want to spook her. But then again, wouldn’t it make sense for me to change into something more comfortable?

You’re overthinking it, Leo. Just go change.

Holding my breath and already thinking about what I’ll have to tell her if she questions me, I run up the stairs and into my room, instantly heading to my drawer and pulling out a pair of gray shorts and a white t-shirt.

Pulling off my pants a little too enthusiastically, my foot catches and I tumble over, my face hitting the floor first as I land with a loud bang.

And I lay there silently, counting the seconds.

Nothing comes.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t as loud as I thought.

God, wouldn’t the team be pissed if I broke myself while taking off my pants. But then again, it probably wouldn’t be the most stupid thing I’ve done.

Hyping myself up, I pull on my clothes, grab my other bottle of cologne, spray some on, and head back out, taking the steps two at a time before grabbing the bag of chips and walking into her room as if I hadn’t almost killed myself changing fast.

“You okay?” she asks with a laugh, the movie already loaded onto the TV on the far wall. The city lights over the inner harbor out the window twinkle, and it hits me that there’s literally nowhere I’d rather be right now.

I nod, trying to shake it off. “Yeah. Something fell while I was changing. All’s good.”

She doesn’t look too convinced.

Rounding her bed, I sit on the side before she yanks the blankets out from under me as well as she can, making it clear that I should get settled in under them with her.

And my heart thuds in my chest.

Holding my breath, I climb in, getting settled as she presses play.

“Thank you for doing this with me,” I tell her.

She rolls over, her face so close I can feel her breath on my shoulder. “Truthor dare, Leo.”

Confused, I roll over just a touch to face her. “Truth.”

“Why are you here?”

“Because I want to be.”

“Cut the shit.”

Closing my eyes, I decide whether I want to get into this before deciding that yes, it’s worth it. “I was out with the guys and realized that I wanted to be home. I wanted to hang out with you, Briar.”

Her eyes study me with such intensity that I feel like shriveling up and fading away.

When it’s clear she’s both not going to give up or continue watching the movie, I ask her the same. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

“Accept the car.”

She shakes her head.

“I want you to have it, Briar.”

She looks down, and I reach out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

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