“Thanks. You like it?”
“You look very, um, presentable.”
His eyebrows lift.
“Presentable?”
“Don't push it.”
He laughs.
Actually laughs.
And suddenly I remember every coffee date this past week.
How every morning he'd somehow appear at school.
Coffee in hand.
Smile already waiting.
At first, I'd been annoyed.
Then suspicious.
Then resigned.
Now?
Now I kind of wonder how much I’ll miss him when he doesn't show up.
Which feels dangerous.
Very dangerous.
His gaze slowly moves over me.
Not in a creepy way.
Not like Joel Jonas.
Nothing like that.
More like he's appreciating something—me.
The look makes my cheeks warm.
“You look beautiful, Firecracker.”
My breath catches.
Just for a second.
Then I immediately recover.
Mostly.
“Don’t call me that. And do you have to lay it on so thick already?”