He pushes even harder and I step into Reese, forcing his arm to the side with a jerk. A Solo cup spills and the liquid runs in Reese’s direction all over her white T-shirt.

“Oh shoot.” She shoves her chair back, but the damage is done.

The other players all scramble for napkins to sop up the beer and save the cards. I grab the roll of paper towels and hand it over. When I try to hand some to Reese, she waves me off, holding the shirt up a bit and exposing the pale line of flesh above her jeans.

“It’s fine, I’ll run and change.”

“I have the key.”

“Right.”

I hand off the towels and follow Reese through the crowd and down the hall to the room.

Pulling the key off my neck, I unlock the door and follow her inside.

As soon as the door shuts, she turns on me, arms crossed over her chest. “Why are you being so weird and rude? You were glowering at Duke and his friends like you wanted to run them over with your truck. It was just a game. And I was winning. Why are you being all cranky again? Did I do something?”

“No. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just . . .” How can I explain? I slide my hands into my hair. “Duke wants you.”

She blinks in surprise. “Duke? No. Well, maybe, but I think maybe he’s like that with everyone.”

How can she not see it? How can she be so blind? I move closer, shaking my head. “You’re too naïve.”

“I am not.” Her chin lifts in defiance.

I hold up my hands. “Okay, so you’re smart. Super smart. Probably the smartest person I’ve ever met. But you don’t know anything about guys.”

She bites her lip, drawing my gaze to her mouth. “I guess you’re right. But that’s why I have to learn.”

“You want to learn?” I take another step toward her.

“I suppose,” she says uncertainly, but she holds her ground and now we’re scant inches apart.

“You want to learn with Duke?” I ask and hold my breath for her answer.

“I—” She cuts off with a frown. “No. I don’t think so.”

“Good.” And then my hands do what I’ve been imagining for the past week and cup her delicate face as I lean in.

17

If you can be content right now, then you’ll always be content, because it’s always right now.

—Willie Nelson

Reese

I’m stuck. Frozen. Can’t move. Can’t speak. I can’t believe Fitz is going to kiss me. For reals this time.

Wait. Is he? He’s not quite there yet. He’s in front of me, his hands on my jaw, his mouth nearly touching mine, our breathing labored and tangled in the space between us.

“Is it okay if I . . .” he asks.

There’s a tremble in his voice, restraint in the hands cupping my face. He’s not acting like some romance movie hero where the guy takes what he wants, kissing with force and strength like I might have expected but wouldn’t have wanted. Not really.