“Kai?”
“Yeah?”
“I, um, I mean it. I had a really nice time tonight.”
I take a breath.
Then another.
Because I don't want to screw this up.
“I know you can't invite me in.”
Her eyebrows rise.
“You do?”
“You live with your mom.”
A smile tugs at her lips.
“That's true.”
I step closer.
Not touching.
Not yet.
Just close enough.
“But if I can…”
My voice comes out rougher than I intended.
“I'd really like to kiss you, Mary.”
Her eyes widen.
Just a little.
“You would?”
I laugh softly.
“Yeah. Is that so?”
More than she'd ever know.
“Yeah, that’s so. I’d really like to kiss you right now, Mary Donahue.”
For one terrifying second, I think she's going to say no.
My heart pounds so hard I can hear it.
Then she steps closer.
Not away.