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“Hey, can we talk after? If you have a minute?”

An hour ago, I was going to cut whatever this is off at the knees.

But now, I nod and say, “Of course. Come find me.”

TWENTY-ONE

LUCAS

Even though Sean leaves earlier than usual, the rest of our tutoring session still feels like it goes on forever.

Charli’s waiting for me.

I’ve been wanting to talk to her for days now. I gave her space for one, but after that, it’s purely work’s fault that I haven’t been able to look up from my computer. Of course this is the week the partners had to dump their most sought-after prospect on my desk.

Work has also been the only thing keeping my mind off Charli. Because after that night in the kitchen, I am officially infatuated.

It took everything in me to pull away from that kiss. In a way, if I didn’t want her as badly as I do, I might not have been able to. But the thought of Charli regretting whatever would’ve happened after that was too much to bear. I knew I needed to give her a minute to just think.

I never planned to wait three days.

“Alright, I’m out,” Sean says, stuffing the last of his papers in his backpack. “Thanks for meeting me earlier today.” He rolls his eyes. “My little sister’s dance recital is tonight, and Mom says we all have to be supportive.”

I press my lips together to hide my smile. “Well, she’s kinda right. Doesn’t she go to your baseball games?”

“I guess,” Sean grumbles. “It still ruins my Thursday night, though.”

“And what exactly would you be doing if you didn’t have to go?”

He shrugs. “Probably video games. The new Madden just came out. I’ve been going over to my friend’s house to play it.”

I make a mental note to order the game before Sean comes over next. “That does sound like a fun Thursday night…” My phone beeps with a notification. “Uber’s here. Make sure you work on those algebraic equations this weekend, okay? You could use some more practice. And if you get stuck, call me.”

He nods, and I’m hit with a sudden wave of gratitude. That this helps. That I’m helping.

At least in this area of life, I can feel like I’m offering something valuable to the world.

But that thought only lasts as long as it takes to walk him out. Because the moment I close the door behind him, my brain zeroes in on the more important topic at hand: Charli.

I practically bolt down the hallway to her room.

I don’t know where this conversation is about to go, but based on the way she looked at me an hour ago, I’m feeling entirely too hopeful as I knock on her door. I have a whole speech I’ve been planning for the past two days, about how we can keep this thing between us whatever she wants to make it. That we can leave it to a kiss, if she wants, or make it more. Mostly, I’m just dying to spend time with her. I don’t want to only see her for breaks in the office or during 4 a.m. pantry raids.

The door swings open. Christ, how does she look better than she did an hour ago?

“Hey.” I sound breathless.

“Hi,” Charli responds with a bashful half-smile.

I swallow thickly and jerk a thumb over my shoulder. “Uh, just to give you a heads up, Sean will be here again on the ninth. But I’ll remember to text you next time⁠—”

I stop talking—stop thinking—as Charli takes a step closer to me, a determined look in her eyes. I’m spellbound, lost in her vortex as she takes another step. She’s close enough now that my chest brushes against hers with every rapid breath I take, close enough that I can see her pulse hammering in her neck.

And then…

She pushes up onto her toes and kisses me.

It’s nothing like our first kiss. Or even the second one that almost was. This one is purposeful, but still soft and sweet. Charli’s lips move against mine, her leading and me following, and even in its simplicity, it takes my breath away.