Page 52 of Key of Kink

His smile widened. “Okay.” There was something almost boyish in his obvious relief. “Yeah, you can have it.”

I huffed a breath. “Don’t go reading anything into this.”

“I’m not,” he said, still smiling. “I just like pretending I’m doing you a favour.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket, and my thumb hovered for a second.

No emotional entanglements.

This was how rule shifts started.

Before I could change my mind, I typed his name, then handed him my phone. “Put yours in.”

He did so without ceremony. When he handed it back, our fingers brushed, a small unnecessary contact.

I didn’t pull away.

“There.” Quinn’s tone was light. “Now you can text me at inappropriate hours.”

“I don’t do texting at inappropriate hours.”

His lips twitched. “We’ll see.”

I studied him again. “You don’t have to respond immediately if I do,” I said before I could stop myself. He stilled, and I didn’t look away. “This doesn’t mean pressure,” I clarified. “It doesn’t mean expectation either. It’s⁠—”

“Hey.” His voice was gentle. “You’re allowed to want to talk to me.”

The simplicity of his words disarmed me.

“I know.”

“Do you?” Then he smiled. “I’m not going to implode if you text me. And I’m not going to assume we’re getting married if you don’t.”

That earned him a quiet laugh. “Good to know.”

He stood slowly, testing his legs. “I get the feeling this is huge for you. Am I right?” His tone came across as casual, but his scrutiny was anything but.

“Yes.”

He stared me for what felt like several seconds. “I like that you’re choosing it.”

A simple acknowledgment.

Quinn stepped close enough that I could feel his warmth again. “You’re going to regret this,” he said in a light tone.

I forced a chuckle. “I doubt that.”

“I’m very good at memes.”

I almost smiled.

“Goodnight, Quinn.”

“Text me,” he said as he headed toward the locker room. It wasn’t a plea or a command, but an invitation.

When he disappeared into the corridor, I looked down at my phone. His name was still open on the screen.

No emotional entanglements, remember?