Page 15 of Simply Yours

And for the first time in longer than he could remember, he smiled. A real,honestsmile that stretched slow across his face, easing something tight inside him.

“Consider it yanked…”

Caitlin narrowed her eyes in mock skepticism, lifting her chin ever so slightly. “Hmph.”

It was an unnecessary sound, one that should have been dismissive, but the way she said it made his grin deepen. He saw the edges of her lips twitch, fighting a smile of her own, and then—finally—she slipped her hand into his.

Jason swore he felt something click into place.

Her fingers were small, delicate, but warm—so warm it startled him. He hadn’t expected that. Hadn’t expected the jolt that shot up his arm or the way his entire body attuned itself toherin that moment.

“Make sure it doesn’t return suddenly,” she warned.

“I’m pretty sure it won’t,” he murmured, and before she could protest, he pulled her into an easy spin, guiding her through the grass.

Caitlin let out a breath—half laugh, half exasperation—and followed his lead.

But just as quickly, the playful air shifted.

Her posture stiffened. Her fingers curled slightly against his palm. He couldfeelher guard going up, brick by brick, and when she spoke again, her words were sharp.

“So what’s the deal?” she demanded, her voice low but heated. “Are you bored? Someone make a bet with you?”

“No bet,” he said simply. He held her gaze, willing her to believe him. “I realized today, standing here, that I’ve never danced with a girl before—and you, being a girl—I thought you might like to join me.”

Something flickered in her expression.

Disbelief. Skepticism.

A slow breath left her lips, and her brows pulled together ever so slightly.

“You didn’t go to your prom?” she asked, her voice softer now, almost incredulous.

“No.”

“You’ve never danced with a girl?”

Jason shook his head. “Always too busy.”

Caitlin scoffed, shaking her head like she didn’t believe a word of it. “Now Iknowyou’re funning me…”

“I’m not.”

She tilted her head, studying him in the dim light. “Have you looked in the mirror?”

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Once or twice,” he admitted. “Not often, though. It’s a reminder that time passes faster than you realize.”

Her smile faltered.

“Tell me about it,” she muttered, glancing away.

Jason hesitated. He could see something in her posture—something heavy, unspoken. “What have you been up to lately?” he asked instead, keeping his tone light, keeping the moment balanced on the edge of ease and something more.

Caitlin exhaled a sharp breath.

“Oh, you know, same stuff every other loser deals with—confusion about what to do with your life, have a little fun, realize you’re utterly broke and there’s no jobs in Yonder, join the military for a steady paycheck and insurance, regret that with every fiber of your being, and then end up back in the same place you left, realizing it’s not quite as bad as you made it out to be in your head.”

Her words tumbled out in a rushed sentence, each one laced with frustration, humor, and something else—something raw.

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