Page 72 of A Thousand Second Chances

“Yeah.” A faint blush colors his cheeks, and he seems suddenly uncertain. “Last night was the most fun I’ve had in…well, in a long time. And it made me think of that day we spent at the adventure park. The universe has given us this enormous gift, and we’re squandering it.”

I furrow my brow, still struggling to catch up to his train of thought. “What do you mean?”

“Take dinner last night, for example,” he says. “I know your family wouldn’t bat an eye at a place like that, but it’s the sort of restaurant I’d never normally be able to afford.”

I frown. “It’s not like my dad or I go to places like that all the time, Chris. We don’t just throw money away.”

He rolls his eyes, waving his hand. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. My point is, I usually can’t pay for a dinner like that, but right now, it doesn’t matter becausemoneydoesn’t matter. I could literally clear out my bank account every loop, and the next cycle would reset it.”

“I guess,” I say hesitantly. “Though it’d be risky since we don’t know for sure when or if the time loop will ever end.”

“You’re missing the point, Perce!” Chris’ brows pinch together in annoyance. “Sure, there’s some risk. But for the most part, right now, we can dowhatever we want. No consequences. We can live for the moment, knowing that if we fuck up or waste money or make a mistake, it’ll all get swept away in the next iteration when the day resets.”

Chris’ fingers find mine again, and his eyes dance mischievously. “So, what do you say, Perce? Want to have some fun?”

Live for the moment…

What he’s suggesting lies so far outside my normal comfort zone that I have a hard time even wrapping my brain around it.I mean, I’m still in the closet because of how much I care about what others might think. It’s hard to consider simply setting my usual worries aside.

Yet sitting there, confronted by Chris’ excitement, my own fear and trepidation gradually leak away, replaced by something else. Something heady.Focus on the now, I remind myself.

A thrill rushes through me as I reach over to rest my other hand on his and grin. “Fuck yeah.”

twenty-nine

Chris

We sneak out theback of the Royal Lilac and cut around the neighboring backyards toward downtown. I don’t think either of us wants to deal with an irate Oshkoff this morning, and Percy puts up even less of a fight than usual at the prospect of breaking the rules.

Then again, he’d agreed to that date yesterday and to having some fun today, so maybe he’s finally learning to loosen up a little. To put his own desires first without worrying so much about what others would think.

He deserves that joy more than anyone else I know. And after his confession during our road trip and how in his head he’d seemed over breakfast, I’m more determined than ever to show him a good time and break through his shell—to be responsible for more of those laughing, carefree moments when he forgets to be stressed and lets himself relax.

Walking side-by-side with Percy down the road, my mind returns to last night and our stroll in the other direction toSunset Rock. I reach out to snag his hand, and he doesn’t resist, hanging onto me almost as tightly as I cling to him.

Maybe webothneed this chance to decompress and let off some steam. As much as I’d enjoyed our newfound intimacy last night and this morning, I have to be careful not to delude myself into thinking this is more than it is. Hence what I’d said to Percy about keeping things casual. I’d seen the raw panic in his eyes when he’d considered a future together, and as much as setting an expiration date on us tears at me, I’d trusted Percy with my heart before and been burned. I’m not about to make that same mistake again—not while any doubt remains over his level of commitment.

For now, however, we both want this, so why not live a little and enjoy ourselves without the risk of disappointment? Today is about Percy and me having fun. Let the future—assuming it ever comes—wait.

“So, where are we going?” Percy asks as we skirt past a group of tourists already making their way around Main Street.

“Taking a day off.”

Percy rolls his eyes. “Sure, buthow? I’m assuming you’ve got something in mind?”

I do, but I’d rather it be a surprise. To be honest, I’m not sure how much of Percy’s thing it’ll be, but he’d seemed to enjoy the adventure park well enough, so maybe there’s hope for him outside a computer screen after all.

“Something I’ve wanted to do since I first got here,” I reply.

“Then why didn’t you? That first day, I mean, before the time loop started.”

I shrug, weaving us around the crowd pouring off the latest ferry. “The only reason I even came on this trip was for Quinn, and it wasn’t exactly up her wheelhouse.”

Percy chews on his bottom lip, suddenly looking doubtful. “You know, you could’ve invited her along for our day off. I wouldn’t have minded. She’s your friend.”

“So are you.” I give Percy a stern look. “Andshe’snot the one I want to spend time with right now.” He blushes and looks away.Shit.Did that give too much of my feelings away? I try to backtrack. “I mean, you’ve met her quite a few times by now. Do you really thinkshehas any trouble letting go and taking a day off?”

Percy chuckles. “You’re saying I’m a more difficult patient?”