“I guess it is.” I skim my fingers over the sparse stubble on his cheek. He has no business trying to grow a full beard, but he’s been working on this since Christmas break, and I’m not going to be the one to tell him it needs to go. “What do you want to do?”

He arches a brow, as if this is the dumbest question in the world. “I mean, we could . . . You know . . .”

I frown. Steve’s pretty articulate. He doesn’t stumble over words, so his vague reply takes me a minute to understand. “Sex?”

The word is a giant record scratch in the empty house.

“Wow. Not the reaction I was expecting.” He steps back, and my hands fall to my sides.

“Sorry, I just . . . I didn’t realize we were there.”

“Isn’t everyone?” His smile is a little goofy when he adds, “And when’s the next time we’re going to have a house to ourselves like this? I want to take my time with you, not have some sloppy first time in the back of my car.”

My jaw works. I appreciate the sentiment, but should we really be making the choice because it’s convenient? “I don’t know.”

“We’re seniors. It’s not like we’re kids anymore.” He shrugs. “But maybe you don’t want to do that with me. Whatever.”

I gape at him. He’s never acted like this, and I don’t like it. “Are you seriously pouting right now?”

“I’m not pouting.”

“Yes, you are. You’re pouting because I don’t want to have sex.”

“Maybe I’m just hurt. Did you think of that?” His chest rises and falls with his deep breath. “Shit. This isn’t how I wanted this conversation to go. I sound like an ass.”

“Yeah.” I hug myself. “You really do.”

He turns to the table and messes with the stack of flashcards I have there. “Please forget I said anything?”

Steve is a nice guy, and I meant it when I told Easton he was good to me. Jerks have no appeal. But sex? I’m not even sure I love him.

I push away the thought quickly. Who said I have to be in love? I like him. I respect him. We have fun together. Isn’t that enough?

I close the space between us, but he still feels miles away. I run a hand down his arm. “Hey. I’m sorry I freaked out, but I need you to understand that my freak-out isn’t about you.”

When he turns his eyes to me, I see the hurt there, and it twists in my chest. “Let me guess—it’s about Easton Connor.”

I blink at him. Because that came out of nowhere. Because he’s being irrationally jealous.

Because he’s right.

Easton