Page 124 of On the Breakaway

“What does that even mean?”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “It means let me show you.”

“Show me what?”

“How it should be.”

Part of me wants to believe him, but a bigger part of me wants to run. Probably because of the first part.

I fold my arms as my defensive instinct kicks in.

“And how exactly do you plan on doing that?”

“Go on a date with me.”

“No.” The word flies out of my mouth in pure panic.

“One date.”

“We don’t even like each other enough for that.”

“C’mon, Chaos, all this honesty and you still want to pretend you don’t like me? Because I’m tired of pretending I don’t like you.”

“You actually want to date me?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“I don’t know.”

“We’ve already slept together.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

“It’s more complicated than one date.”

I roll my eyes, but he continues before I can object.

“No pressure or expectations. No life-changing declarations.”

I snort, but then think about the potential fallout. “It could blow up our entire friend group.”

“We don’t have to tell anyone.” His voice softens. “It’ll be low-key, I promise.” He leans forward, hands gripping the couch outside of my thighs. “I’m not really ready to jump right into a relationship anyway. I’m supposed to be figuring out how to be alone.”

“I don’t know. It sounds like you’re proposing a relationship.”

“One date, and we’ll see what happens after. No rushing.”

Every alarm bell in my body is screaming. I’d told myself I would never try this kind of thing again. But spending time with Grayson has a way of silencing the doubt in my mind.

Warmth courses through my chest as I realize the certainty with which he’s decided he wants to do this.

I swallow, neither of us speaking for several seconds.

Then, finally, I sigh.

“Fine.”

His face immediately brightens, and I find myself smiling back. Leaning forward, he brushes his lips against mine. It’s soft and sweet, which is entirely different from the heat-fueled kisses we’ve exchanged so far.