Page 152 of Show Me

I wrap my hands around the cool glass.

My stomach wooshes at the thought of putting anything else into it. I haven’t eaten that much in one night in weeks. Months maybe. I set it back onto the counter as silence stretches between us.

He cocks his head. “You know what your problem is?”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re about to say something annoying, aren’t you?”

A corner of his mouth lifts. “Probably.”

“Good. I was worried we’d gone too long without you irritating me.”

His smile grows. “There she is.”

I roll my eyes. “What’s my problem?”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

“That's not my biggest problem.”

“It’s in the top three.”

“According to who?”

“Me.”

“Well, that’s not an official source.”

He ignores that. “You act like this vet tech thing is some huge leap.”

“It is.”

“No.” I open my mouth. He points his glass at me. “It’s not. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

I shake my head. “You’re impossible.”

His dimple pops, making my heart skip a beat. “Yes, I am but I’m usually right.”

The lightness of the conversation squeezes my heart, reminding me of the first day at the hardware store. ““You’re occasionally right.”

“Look at that.” He lifts his glass. “Personal growth.”

I fight a smile. Lose.

His eyes linger on my mouth.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re staring.”

“I’ve been accused of that.”

The look he gives me sends warmth crawling beneath my skin. “Xavier.”

“Ruby.”

“Stop.”