“Never… have I ever…” He starts. “Had someone care about me so much—other than Quinn.”

Quinn releases my hand. I think he’s as stunned as I am; we’re both quiet.

“Never have I ever…” Quinn says. “Gotten a hug from my mom.”

My jaw drops.

Ambrose squeezes his eyes shut. “That’s cold.”

“That’s mom,” Quinn says simply.

“I think we need something stronger than nachos for this game.”

“Agreed,” Quinn whispers.

Ambrose gets up and walks off, I’m sure in search of his feelings and vodka or something comparable.

I know he’ll be back though, he’s processing, and one thing I’ve learned about him is that he needs time, so I turn to Quinn and wrap my arms around his neck.

I hug him. “Sorry, I’m late.”

He hugs me back. “Silly girl, you’re right on time.”

“I like you,” I whisper. “I like having you as a friend.”

He pulls back and tilts my chin toward him with his fingertips. “Did you have to kick me while I’m down?”

I can’t help but smile. “I think you’ll be fine.”

“I’m always fine.” He leans in and rests his head on my shoulder. “But I could be finer.”

“More fine?”

“Shhhh, you’re ruining the moment.”

“Yeah okay, Jacob.”

“Quinn, the names Quinn.”

“Oh right, but you’re totally the Jacob in this scenario, congrats, you’re the werewolf; he’s the vampire.”

He gently shoves me away. “I wanted to be the vampire.”

“And yet you aren’t.”

“I bite harder.”

“See? Werewolf.”

“That felt like trickery somehow.”

I just mess up his thick gorgeous hair. Ambrose meanders back into the room with a bottle of Gin.

“Wow, night two, let’s not get too crazy.” Quinn jokes.

Ambrose pours three shots for each of us and stares down at the glass. “Never have I ever wanted to kiss someone so bad.”

“Bro!” Quinn exclaims. “If you want it come and get it.”

We all laugh, and so goes our game for the next hour, confessing, laughing, while Johnny Depp drinks rum in the background.

“…Never,” Quinn whispers while Ambrose snores next to us on the other couch. “Have I ever wanted my friend’s girl more than I do now…”

I smile over at him and grab his hand. “I’m not that special.”

His eyes lock on mine as he takes his shot. “I beg to differ.”

“Just kiss already,” Ambrose grumbles. “Kiss her, you idiot, God, I hate this movie sometimes.” He’s in and out of watching the next one on Netflix.

“Damn.” Quinn laughs. “And here I thought I just got permission.”

“You would only need mine, not his,” I say.

He pauses. “Can I kiss you?”

“No…” I almost feel sad saying it. “…but you can give me all the hugs you want.”

“Thought so.” He pulls me into his arms. “Can I have a few minutes, just like this?”

“I’ll set a timer.” I joke.

“Please…” his voice changes. “Don’t.”

My heart cracks a bit as I whisper. “Okay.”