Page 22 of Wanna Bet?

“Both.”

His mouth twitched like he was trying not to smile too much.

God, he really is pretty.

She stood and brushed imaginary lint from her jeans so her hands had something to do, because otherwise she might have stared openly. Up close he smelled faintly like laundry detergent and something woodsy and clean, a scent that made her think of fresh air and quiet places.

He glanced at the bench. “So this is the spot?”

“Unless you’re secretly a park critic with strong opinions.”

He shook his head. “No notes.”

His eyes met hers, and something softened in his expression so subtly she almost missed it.

Her stomach flipped.

Abort. Abort feelings.

She reached into her pocket quickly before she could think too hard. “I brought an ice breaker.” She held up the joint between two fingers.

His brows lifted slightly. “You came prepared.”

“I’m always prepared.”

“That sounds like a threat.”

“It is.”

He laughed then–quiet and genuine, not the polite customer laugh she’d heard at the stand and not the careful one he used when he wasn’t sure he was allowed to react. This one was loose, real, and it hit her square in the ribs.

“C’mon,” she muttered, nodding toward the grassy stretch beyond the path. “Bench is too public, I don’t need a soccer mom yelling at me about corrupting youth.”

They walked a few yards off the trail and settled beneath a wide-armed tree, the shade breaking the sunlight into soft shifting patches across Jace’s face. Myah tried very hard not to stare at the way the light caught in his lashes.

She failed.

He noticed.

Her cheeks warmed.

Fantastic.

She sparked the lighter before she could overthink anything, cupping her hand around the flame until the tip glowed. She inhaled slowly and passed it to him. Their fingers brushed in the exchange, and the contact felt startlingly electric.

She pulled her hand back quickly like she had touched something hot. Thankfully, he didn’t comment on it. He just took a drag, coughed once under his breath, and gave her a sheepish smile.

“Still getting used to that,” he admitted.

Her lips curved. “You don’t smoke much?”

“Not really.”

“You don't have to.” Myah took another drag, “It just calms me.”

He shrugged as he took the joint back and hit it again, this time holding it longer. Myah watched as his lips wrapped around the butt of it. As his tongue wetted his lower lip, he exhaled smoke toward the sky. “You need calming?”

Jace glanced over, a smirk painted on his face. Myah wasn't expecting that. He had been nothing but shy and polite and quiet up until now. His teasing words sent a thrill through her.