Page 40 of Well That Happened

He doesn’t look at me when he says it. Doesn’t smile.

Just stands there—cool, steady, unshakable.

It’ssomuch worse than if he’d winked or smirked or said something smug. Because now I’m the only one acting weird.

I force a tight smile. “Thanks. I’m good.”

I grab my bag and escape to the hallway like the kitchen is full of landmines.

By the time I get to campus, I’ve mentally replayed that kiss five times and cycled through guilt, lust, and warded off at least two different panic attacks.

I slide into my usual seat next to Lexi just before lecture starts.

She takes one look at me and raises an eyebrow. “You look like a heroine in a morally gray romance.”

I groan and drop my forehead to the desk. “I made out with Grayson.”

“WHAT.”

“Shhh!” I hiss, swatting her arm. “Not so loud!”

She leans in, eyes wide. “Tell me everything.”

“There’s nothing to tell. I was in his room, he kissed me, it was—” I lower my voice, “—hot,Lex. Like… slow-motion, soul-melting hot. And then I panicked and bolted like a coward.”

She grins. “So you like him.”

“I don’tknow!This morning he acted likenothing happened.”

Lexi snorts. “He’s probably playing it cool to give you space.”

“Or because he regrets it.”

Lexi snorts harder. “Rilee. Babe. Have youseenyourself?”

“I am amess.I spent the whole night trying not to relive it. Then I relived it. With batteries.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “Damn.”

“Yup.”

“Okay, look.” She softens. “You don’t have to figure it all out today. Or even this week. Just breathe, flirt, survive your shift, and maybe don’t make out with anyone elsetonight.”

I groan. “No promises.”

The house is quiet when I get home. Like, weirdly quiet.

No Caleb humming in the kitchen. No Hunter slamming doors. No TV murmuring in the background.

Just silence.

And one pair of boots by the door.

Grayson.

I drop my bag gently, not ready to face him but too tired to sneak back out and pretend I forgot something at the library.

When I step into the kitchen, he’s at the counter, sketchpad open, pencil in hand, a half-drunk mug of coffee next to him.

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