Page 52 of Scrum Heat

“No?”

“No. It worked because your laugh is real. And because I looked like I was having fun. Which I was. With you.”

There’s a pause.

A heavy one.

He steps closer. “You don’t have to prove anything, Frankie,” he says.

And then—just gently—he reaches out and brushes his thumb along my wrist. A soft, careful touch, like he’s testing the heat of something fragile.

It’s not sexual. It’s worse.

It’sintimate.

My breath catches as I look up, and Finn?

He’s already looking at me.

“You’re not alone here,” he says.

I know he means it, and I also know I shouldn’t read into it, but my brain is short-circuiting on account of his delicious scent and close proximity.

And more than that—because my instincts don’t know what to do with tenderness. Especially not from someone with arms like his and a voice that sounds like safety.

Especially not when I’ve spent so long convincing myself I don’t need either.

I nod, and then do somethingverystupid.

I lean in.

Just a little.

Just enough.

He doesn’t lean in too. He freezes, then stays completely still; that soft, steady gaze still locked on mine, but unmoving.

The tension buzzes louder than any comment section ever could. It sits heavy between us, tight and unsure and completely unscripted.

The moment drags out, and my cheeks begin to burn beetroot red.

“Thanks,” I mumble as I pull back a fraction, my voice barely working.

He nods, still quiet.

I try to smile. It twitches awkwardly on my face, so I abort halfway through and move too fast, rattling a chair as I retreat blindly.

“Right. I should—uh—go check the upload and schedule the next post,” I say to the air somewhere near his shoulder.

He opens his mouth to respond, but I’m already moving. I leave the kitchen with my face on fire, and by the time I reach my room, I’m practically vibrating with adrenaline.

I close the door, then stand there for a second to breathe.

Then I faceplant into the bed and groan into the pillow.

Because apparently, the only thing more mortifying than someonenotmaking a move on you, is you almost making one first.

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