Page 77 of The Gaybor War

Seriously? This man’s mind has gone around the bend, and there’s no coming back. "You came over here to ask me that?"

“No. Yes. No. I just… I haven't heard from you all day."

I blink. "Congratulations?"

"No, I mean..." He stops. Tries again. "The street was quiet."

I stare at him. "The street."

"Yes."

"The absence of my personality created a measurable disturbance in your environment."

His silence is answer enough. My heart does an embarrassing little somersault.

"Wow," I say softly. "That's somehow the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me."

Carter immediately looks horrified. "It wasn't supposed to be romantic."

"You came over because the neighborhood wasn't loud enough."

"That's not⁠—"

"You missed me."

"I noticed your absence."

"Adorable."

He groans, sounding pained. "Please stop."

"Make me."

His jaw tightens. "This is why I rehearsed this."

Oh boy. "You rehearsed?"

Carter closes his eyes. "Forget I said that."

"Oh my God."

"Benji."

"You practiced."

"I had a plan."

"A plan!" In which he failed spectacularly in his execution.

"Would you stop sounding delighted for five seconds?"

"Absolutely not."

He points at me. "See? This. This is the problem."

"What problem?"

Carter opens his mouth, then stops, then opens it again. "Do you want to have dinner with me?"