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“It was good to meet you,” Sam said.

“You too.”

Jess called from the kitchen. “If you break his heart we know where you live.”

“Jess,” Sam said in a warning tone.

Max smiled. “Duly noted.” Then he stepped outside, and I followed him onto the front step. The night air was cool after the warmth of the house. The street was quiet, lit by the soft orange glow of the streetlamp.

For a moment neither of us spoke.

Then Max tilted my face towards his with his fingers. “You survived.”

“Barely.”

He smiled. “They like you.”

“They like you,” I corrected.

Max considered that. “It felt that way. I’m glad.” He smiled. “Maybe the next time will be easier.”

The evening had gone better than I’d hoped. Too well, maybe, which made the idea of him walking away suddenly feel wrong.

Max seemed to sense it too. He brushed his thumb along my jaw.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For letting me see this part of your life.”

My chest tightened. “You’re part of it.”

Max held my gaze for a moment longer, then leaned in and kissed me. It was warm and unhurried, and I could’ve let him kiss me like that all night long.

When he pulled back, my hand had somehow found its way into his.

I grinned. “That was very smooth.”

Max’s lips twitched. “I try.” He stepped back with obvious reluctance. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Soon,” I echoed.

He turned and walked down the street, and I watched him go until he disappeared around the corner.

When I went back inside, Jess and Maya were waiting in the hallway.

“Was that the goodbye kiss?” Maya asked.

I pointed toward the stairs. “I’m going to bed.”

Jess’s eyes sparkled. “Already?”

“Yes.” Anything to avoid the questions I knew were about to hit me.

Sam poked his head around the kitchen door. “Well, we didn’t bite. Much.”

I glared at him and Jess. “You call that not biting?”