“Very. Peaceful.”

“Well, it’s still noisy.”

“Well, it’s still Brooklyn.” Adam chuckles.

“True.” I feel myself smile at the sound of his laugh, at the way his eyes crinkle and light up.

“Want to come up there with me?” he asks.

“Um . . . sure.” I look around. Our friends are all lost in conversation anyway and I know they won’t care.

On our way out, I catch Uma’s eyes and she winks and smiles. I don’t even bother to roll my eyes. They’re all dying for us to get back together and they’re not very quiet about it to me, so I’m sure Adam gets the same treatment.

“So,” he says once we walk out onto the rooftop.

“So.” I walk over and sit down on one of the beanbag chairs, which is more like a couch since up to three people fit on it. Adam takes a seat beside me and suddenly I lose my appetite because I’m so nervous, which is ridiculous, considering.

“Have you thought about being my date tomorrow night?”

“Adam.” I sigh and glance away, my eyes on the city before us.

“Come on, Van. You know you want to.” He sets down his plate beside mine on the table. “Please.”

“I don’t want to.” I meet his eyes. “I’ve been trying to forget about you for two years, Adam. Going as your date would be taking ten steps back.”

“I’ve tried to forget you too, but I think it’s safe to say that’s impossible.”

“You’re dating.”

“I was.”

“How long are you here for?”

He moves closer, our knees touching. “How long do you want me to be here for?”

“Don’t do that.” I look away, but he catches my chin with his hand and turns me back slowly.

“I want you, Van. I fucked up and I’m sorry and I know I don’t deserve another chance, but please, give me one.”

“How long are you here for?” I ask again, licking my lips.

“As long as it takes to win you back.”

For the first time in a long time, I ignore the little voice in my head telling me to question more or get up and leave, and I lean in and kiss him instead. He groans against my mouth and presses his chest against the palm of my hand, which is still up as if I was ever going to stop this from happening. Our kiss turns frantic, our tongues colliding hard against one another, our lips moving quickly and determined, bruising.

He pulls away suddenly, breathing heavily against me. “Come home with me.”

“Home where?”

“I’m staying in the Williamsburg Hotel.”

“A hotel?” I push my palm against his chest again, this time for us to sit up. “Why?”

“I’m not going back to my parents’ house.”

“Your dog is at your parents’ house.”