Not too close.
Just enough.
“Maybe I just haven’t heard it from someone interesting yet.”
Bad idea.
Immediately bad idea.
Because her expression shifted for half a second.
Not soft.
Not flustered.
Something worse.
Interested.
Then it disappeared.
“That sounded rehearsed,” she said.
I grinned. “And yet you’re still standing here.”
For one tiny second, I thought she might smile.
Instead she took a slow sip of water without breaking eye contact.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Jace leaned toward Eli behind us and whispered loudly:
“They’re either gonna hook up or stab each other.”
“Both,” Eli said calmly.
Probably fair.
Rowan looked over at them finally. “Your friends always this annoying?”
“Yes,” I answered immediately.
“Funny,” Jace said. “I was gonna ask if your face always looks this judgmental.”
“It’s genetic.”
I laughed before I could stop myself.
Real laugh too.
Not the fake easy ones I gave reporters and cameras and every otherperson constantly trying to take something from me.
Rowan noticed.
Her eyes narrowed slightly like that reaction surprised her.
Then my phone buzzed again.
