I put the bracelet back on as I leaned against the counter.

I had to do this. I needed to do this. At least try to do this. My heart started its panicked thumping as I pushed off the counter and headed into the living room. I dug my phone out of my bag and before I thought about what I was doing, I opened Cam’s text from earlier and sent Okay.

A few seconds passed and then there was a text back. Incoming.

“Incoming?” What in the—?

There was a knock on my door.

Rolling my eyes, I tossed my phone on the couch and went to the door. “You didn’t have to come over.”

Cam strolled right in, twisting his cap on backward.

“Well, help yourself.”

He stopped near the kitchen and frowned. “Why does your apartment smell like Clorox?”

“I was cleaning.”

A brow went up.

“The whole kitchen,” I said sheepishly. “You know, you could’ve saved yourself the trip and just responded to the text.”

Casting me a long look, he sat on the couch. “I needed the exercise.”

Yeah, he did not need the exercise.

He patted the spot beside me. “Come sit with me.”

I stared.

“Come on.”

Muttering under my breath, I stepped over his legs and sat. “Alright, I’m sitting.”

His lashes lowered, and I felt his gaze over my mouth. Warmth spread across my cheeks, and his grin went up a notch. “So you texted me with the word okay. I’ve asked you two things today. So I’m curious to which one you’re finally agreeing to.”

I pulled my legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around my knees. “You asked me about the Halloween party tomorrow night.”

“Yes, I did.” He reached over and tugged on my arm until I let go of my knees. “But I asked you something else.”

My eyes narrowed.

Then he got a hand on the hem of my jeans and pulled my legs away from my chest. “I also asked you out.”

“You know the answer to that.”

He narrowed his eyes.

My lips twitched. “I was saying okay, I’ll go to the party.”

“Smart choice. It’ll be fun and you’ll have a good time.” Once I was apparently sitting to his approval, he sat back. “When do you want me to pick you up?”

I shook my head. “I’m going to drive myself.”

“Why would you do that? We live in the same building and are heading to the same place.”

“Thanks, but I’ll drive.”

He studied me a moment. “If you don’t want to go with me, then at least get a ride with Brittany.”

I said something along the lines of agreeing to that, but I wasn’t planning on that. Taking my own car meant I could leave whenever I wanted to. I needed that lifeline.

“Hey,” Cam said.

Turning my head toward him, I raised my brows. “Hi.”

“Go out with me.”

I smiled. “Shut up, Cam.”

#