Page 262 of Breaking the Rules

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"So why the surprise."

"You're not the cooking type."

I motion to the bowl full of cupcake batter. Then to the oven. "Put it to three seventy-five."

He reaches for the knob. Turns it.

"How am I not the cooking type?"

"You're not going to like it."

"Tell me anyway." I grab the muffin tray. Fill it with foil liners.

"You're not exactly nurturing."

"Fuck you."

He laughs. "Told you."

I laugh too.

He's right.

Mostly.

"It's not that, exactly." I fill a pan with batter. "More that I have limited love to go around. I save it for the people who really deserve it."

His eyes find mine. "Like who?"

"Kaylee. And Brendon. He's annoying… but he's a good brother."

"You're sweet."

"Sometimes." I fill another row of cupcakes. "But only to people I like."

"Fuck, not good news for me."

I flip him off again.

He slides off the counter. Sets his plate down. Wraps his fingers around my wrist. Nips at my index finger.

I laugh.

"It's rough. My best friend doesn't like me," he says.

"Maybe you should have picked someone kinder."

"No." He rests his palm on my cheek. "She's perfect. We're perfect."

My entire body warms. "I… Uh…"

He's right. This is perfect.

But it could be more perfect.

If we…

If I…

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