“Excuse me,” I say, trying to walk away so he doesn’t see the tears in my eyes. I walk inside, and I’m looking for the bathroom when I accidentally walk into his room. I turn to walk back out and face-plant in his chest.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his hands holding my arms. I look up, and it’s the wrong thing to do because he makes me want to take all the leaps. He makes me want to do all these things I said I would never do. He makes me want all the tomorrows. He makes me want it all, and I know that even if I guard myself, I’ll fall for him, and I’m not sure I can survive him leaving.

“No,” I say, moving out of his touch. “I’m not okay.”

“Why?” he asks, and I lift my arms up as if he should know.

“Us staying here,” I say. “Dylan falling in love with you.”

He waits for me to finish. “It’s just … it’s not just me I have to worry about.”

“I will never ever hurt him,” he says softly. “Never. You never have to worry about that.” And I know by his tone that he would never hurt him.

“Let me in.”

“Letting you in isn’t what I’m worried about anymore,” I say, and it’s the truth. “It’s about surviving after.”

“You’ll never know unless you take that chance,” he says, and I have to avert my eyes. “I’ve never had anyone in my house before.” I look at him with shock all over my face. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve dated. But here”—he points at the floor—“this is mine, and I wasn’t about to bring anyone in here that I didn’t think deserved to be here.”

“You’ve known me a week,” I say.

“And I would have brought you here the day I met you,” he says and then comes to me. “I want to date you, and that means you coming over.”

“What else does dating entail?” I place my hands on his chest, the feel of his heart beating under my palms.

“It entails doing stuff for each other,” he says.

“You don’t need me for anything,” I say.

“That’s not true,” he says. “If I asked you to do something for me, would you say no?” I roll my eyes, and he laughs. Arm around me, he pulls me in for a hug, and my hands go around his waist. “How about you stay here tonight? Tomorrow, you can get up, go to your place to change, and then pack a bag.”

“Pack a bag?” I repeat.

“Well, we are going to have movie night. You can’t just leave during movie night.”

“Oh my God,” I say, and he leans down.