“I didn’t say you don’t.”

“Your face did.”

He chuckles. The sound slides over me like the burn of whiskey—smooth, languid, and potent.

Amusement disappears as he assesses me, focusing on my face. “You look different.”

“It’s been years.” I don’t specify I’ve kept track of how many. Don’t mention the bangs, either.

“Yeah, it has, huh?”

“You seem different too.”

“I never had bangs.”

Dammit, that is what he was talking about.

“I said, you seem different, not that you look different.”

Although he does, especially up close like this. The line of his jaw looks sharper, his eyes appear greener, and his hair is long enough to run fingers through. You know, hypothetically. That’s definitely not what I’m imagining doing right now.

“Are you happy to be home?”

He doesn’t answer right away, just shifts positions against the wall beside me. “No. Not really.”

“Why not?”

The restroom door opens. If Gray wasn’t standing beside me, I’d think, Finally. Since he is, I’m tempted to shove the two girls stumbling out right back inside to prolong this moment. Both girls gawk at Gray before walking back down the hallway. The general consensus among the female population seems to be that Grayson Phillips is the sort of gorgeous that makes bad decisions seem like the best ideas you’ve ever had. For once, Mr. Flirty barely spares them a glance. His gaze stays focused on me, and it’s one of the most thrilling things I’ve ever experienced.

Sloane’s voice echoes in my head. “Now’s your chance.”

“Being here…” He pauses. Studies me. Weighs something. “It’s just boring.”

That’s not what he was going to say. We both know it. I feel like I failed a test without being asked a single question. Fell short without knowing where the finish line was.

“Oh.” I flounder for something else to add. I thought he might mention his ongoing rift with his dad. Thought we might discuss something of significance.

Gray straightens abruptly. “Go ahead.” He nods toward the empty restroom.

I don’t move. “Are you—”

“Or I’ll go.” That’s what he says. Conversation over, is what he means.

“Go ahead.”

He hesitates. For a few seconds, I think he might change his mind. Then, he walks into the restroom, and I realize he was just giving me another chance to go ahead.

I let out all the air in my lungs with a long exhale. There’s a hum under my skin that wasn’t there until I saw who was walking down the hallway, and it hasn’t abated now that he’s gone.

Gray opens the restroom door a few minutes later. “All yours.”