She and April were already gone because she needed to do a conference call before dinner.

“It’ll probably be in the mail tomorrow. She always follows through.”

“She doesn’t like me.” Milo stretched, rolling his neck from side to side. I wanted to rub it, but the room was still half-full.

“She… It’s complicated.”

“I get it. I screwed up. I was terrible to you and a lot of other people in high school. Guess I can’t outrun that.” His shoulders slumped and he looked away.

“Yes, you can.” I risked grabbing his shoulder anyway because I couldn’t stand seeing him this down. “I believe a person can change. God knows I’m not the same person I was in high school either.”

“I’ve noticed.” He faked a heated look, but my ego knew the difference between false praise and the genuine desire he’d shown me this weekend.

“Good.” I held on to his arm so that he couldn’t ignore what I was saying. “But my point is, screw what other people think. Including my mom. Just keep proving them wrong. I believe in you.”

“Thanks. You… That means everything.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance.” I hoped like hell that he didn’t test that belief of mine. He met my gaze, expression deadly serious, almost as if he were starving for someone to believe in him, and there was nothing I wouldn’t offer him in that moment, fresh chance to break my heart included.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Milo

Going over to Jasper’s to get ready for the ball was a mistake. Not because I wanted to back out of my commitment to go, but because a simple kiss hello turned into us tangled up on the bed, costumes entirely forgotten, clock ticking away as I reacquainted myself with his mouth. Grinding against my thigh, he stroked my face.

“You shaved.”

I’d showered and shaved both, exactly like this was a hot date, which wasn’t that far from the truth. “Neptune has to look his iconic best for his big night. I went to the barber too. My hair was getting shaggy.”

“Ha.” Stretching, Jasper dragged his own mop of curly hair against my neck. “Maybe I should cut mine too.”

“Don’t you dare.” I chuckled wickedly, memories of what we’d done Wednesday hanging between us. “I like holding on to it.”

“I noticed. Can we do that again now?” He plucked at my shirt buttons. “I can be fast. Bet I can make you fast too.”

“You’re rather confident.” I shifted as my blood all rushed south.

Dropping a kiss on my collarbone, he skimmed a hand down my torso. “Hey, I know where my talents lie.”

“Which would not include being on time.” Reluctantly, I rolled away before his nimble fingers could reach my fly.

“Fine. Be the responsible adult,” Jasper complained even as he too sat up.