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“I’m all in,” I repeat with a healthy dose of confidence. Not enough to convince me but hopefully enough to convince her.

“For how long?”

I scramble for an answer that’s not only honest but makes sense.

“As long as you’ll let me.”

We hold each other’s eyes until she points out the front.

“I’m over there.”

“That’s it? I tell you I’m in love with you and you dip?”

“What do you want me to do? My car’s right there.”

“Come over here and kiss me until our lips go numb.”

I even lift the center console for her.

Her smile returns, doubling in size, but she doesn’t move an inch.

“Can we do that at home?”

I give the parking lot a scan. While it’s not exactly busy, it’s not deserted either.

She loves me but she’s not ready to be seen kissing me.

She loves me.

“Okay.”

Kota grabs the handle. “You’re not mad?”

“The prettiest girl in the whole world just told me she loves me. I got nothing to be mad about.”

She hops out, somehow sporting an even bigger smile.

Girl looks like she’s in love.

I wait until she’s safely in her car to check my reflection in the rearview.

Jesus. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. It’s clear as fucking day. I’m in love.

I work on schooling my features all the way home, not even reacting when I spot a larger-than-normal cat dashing through a yard. The fuck? Is that the bobcat Tina was talking about?

When we pull up to the house, there’s a limo in the driveway, blocking the garages, and my dad and Sera are coming down the front steps.

“Where have you two been?” my dad asks.

“Study date,” Kota replies breezily.

He swings his gaze to me, and I almost scoff before saying, “Errands.”

“You’ve had a lot of free time on your hands lately.”

Nothing on him moves as he awaits my response.

“Not tonight.”