Page 13 of Changing the Play

I don’t think I’ve ever been so enthralled with another person before. “How much is a lot?”

He rubs his hand over his nape, not quite meeting my eyes. “Once every couple of weeks.”

For a long moment, all I can do is blink at him because…what?

I pride myself on not believing every stereotype about people. I mean, goodness, I’m a complete history nerd, but my best friend is astarving artist, and they frequently drag me into things I’d never do on my own. I’m not the stereotype that other people often think I am.

But I have to admit, Weston Hale continues to surprise me.

Chapter 5

Weston

“So, uh—yeah,” I say, feeling somewhat vulnerable from the confession. “It’s comforting.” He’d probably shit if he saw my bedroom.Pride and Prejudicemay be my favorite, but it’s not even close to the only classic I have.

Darcy hums, his expression thoughtful. “Comforting.”

I nod, since I’m not sure if I can properly articulate all the ways this book changed my life. How Mrs. Jackson changed my life. Every single plan I have for my future is tied into that book and those words written in the front of it. “In some strange way, it makes me feel like things can work out, even when it seems insurmountable.”

Darcy gets a little smile on his face. It’s the ghost of one, really, like he’s smiling more to himself and not for me. “Huh. I like that. Like it gives you hope.” His warm gaze finds mine, and I find myself caughtin his stare. He lets out a small chuckle, laughter dancing in his eyes. “You’re not at all what I expected.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, more curious than I’d like to admit about what he thinks of me.

He shrugs, his mouth still tilted up in a tiny smile. “I’m not sure how to describe it, really. You surprised me, that’s all.”

“Admit it. You thought I was a dumb jock.” I cross my arms over my chest.

Darcy’s face pales, panic flashing in his expressive eyes. “No! That’s—I wasn’t. It’s just that—”

I can’t help but laugh. “I’m fucking with you.”

He seems to sag in relief and then lets out a small chuckle. I’m about to say something—probably something stupid—when there’s a sharp rap at the door and we both jump. “That’ll be the cookies.”

I open the door and take the box from the guy before handing him a tip. The cookies smell delicious, and my mouth is already watering in anticipation. My guilty pleasure treat, seriously.

“Oh God,” Darcy groans, sniffing the air. I burst into laughter, my stomach doing a strange little flip as he closes his eyes and breathes in deeply. “Those smell like actual heaven.”

He holds his hands out in front of him, making little ‘gimme’ motions and I grin, setting the box down on the table and opening the top.

He leans forward, scanning the cookies. “Oh my. They all look so good. I kind of want one of each.”

“Take whatever you want.”

Darcy’s eyes dart up to mine, and he grins. “Which one is your favorite?”

I point to the double fudge brownie cookie. “You canhave it.”

He looks at me for a second before shaking his head. “No. I couldn’t. I don’t want to take your favorite one.”

I reach into the box and pick it up, breaking it in half before holding it out to him. He blinks up at me and I quirk an eyebrow. “It’s bad manners to turn down a cookie when someone is offering it, Darcy.”

Darcy’s lips twitch, caught between a scowl and a smile, but eventually the smile wins out, and he takes the cookie from my hand. I sit down beside him and hold mine up like a toast. His laughter is a symphony as he ‘clinks’ his cookie against mine and takes a bite.

I hold off, wanting to watch his reaction, and it does not disappoint. He takes a cautious bite, and I can tell the second the fudge center melts on his tongue because his eyes roll back, and he lets out the hottest sounding moan I’ve ever heard in my life. Wait…what?No.Nothot.

I shove my cookie into my mouth, barely even tasting it as I chew quickly, trying to push that random thought out of my mind.

“Okay,” Darcy says, taking another bite. “You were not kidding. These are magnificent. I’ve genuinely never had a better cookie in my entire life.”

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