“No, I didn’t,” Daniel insisted. “It came through loud and clear. You say you’re busy with your sister. I say I can help you with that, the same way Alex and Marcy can help you. Only better, because I’m the one that actually found Gemma, remember?”

“I’m the one that knew which house it was,” Harper said, avoiding his eyes. “I mean, I appreciate your help, but we could’ve … we probably would’ve found her. Eventually.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Daniel allowed. “But I helped you find her this time, and I helped you fight the sirens on the island, and I helped you rescue her on the beach, and I scared the sirens away from her once. The point is, if you want to take care of your sister, you want me on your side.

“No, scratch that.” Daniel waved his hand. “You need me. So you can’t use that as an excuse to stay away from me anymore.”

“It’s not an excuse,” Harper said. “I’m trying to do the right thing here. I really am. I’m trying to protect Gemma and you! You conveniently forgot about that part, Daniel.” She lowered her voice, in case her dad might overhear. “These are monsters that kill boys, and you’re a boy. I don’t want them to hurt you.”

“I didn’t forget about that,” Daniel said. “You just don’t get to make decisions for me.”

Harper was genuinely offended. “I’m not!”

“You’re trying to,” Daniel said. “If I choose to be in danger, that’s my choice. If I want to be with you, even knowing how dangerous it’s going to be, I can do that.”

“But Daniel—” She started to protest, but he put his hands on her shoulders to reassure her, startling her into silence.

“So the only question that really matters is, do you like me?” Daniel asked.

“You know the answer to that.”

“You’re right.” Daniel smirked. “I think I do know the answer, but I want to hear you say it anyway.”

“Yes,” Harper said, almost as if it pained her to do so. “I like you.”

She lowered her eyes and opened her mouth to argue with him, so Daniel slid his hands from her shoulders to her waist.

He gently pulled her closer to him, and she looked up. His arms were loose around her waist, so he wasn’t forcing her to stay in place, but she didn’t move away. She put her hands on his chest and stared up into his eyes.

“I like you,” Daniel said softly. “And I don’t need you to protect me. I can take care of myself. And I can take care of you, too.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I know,” he said, brushing her hair back from her forehead. “But I want to.”