“I know this was ultimately my idea, but I think you should reconsider, I don’t feel right with you doing this without me close by,” Nicole’s strong Italian accent urged.

“Not now Nic,” I whispered.

“Wait. Where are you? Are you in phase two?”

She must have heard the echo behind me and suspected I was in the bathroom. “Let’s talk later.” I hung up before she could say anything else to talk me out of this.

I knew she meant well and was being overprotective, but I wasn’t about to turn back now. She wouldn’t understand what this was for me. She wasn’t the one humiliated in front of the entire senior class on the night I was supposed to give everything I had to Troy Hartman.

And I mean everything.

I dug into my pocketbook and reached for the piece of paper for strength. I read it again. Mumbling the words to myself.

It didn’t help. Instead, I found myself grateful he hadn’t followed me in here.

What was I even going to do if he had?

With that thought, my fingers flew to my mouth. Where the softest set of lips had been less than ten minutes ago. He seemed so taken aback. And I felt his heart stop when I’d leaned into him. It was nothing like kissing Troy five years ago. He’d matured. He was sexier than I remembered. His voice huskier and rougher.

It stirred something in me that had no place there. Not anymore.

Swiping my purse from the counter, I flipped around, finding Troy standing by the door, which swung closed behind him.

I couldn’t help but be painfully aware of how masculine he looked now. The planes of his handsome face so prominent in this light. My mouth opened slightly.

“On your way out?” He motioned forward. “Don’t let me stop you. I just need to use the urinal.”

“Go right ahead.” I pointed to one behind me. “Unless there’s something you’re ashamed of.”

Good one, Harp.

A slow smile tipped his lips and he strode past me. “Hardly.”

My stomach flipped at the confidence in his voice, and I stood frozen while he did his business behind me.

Feeling like this was now or never, I reached for the ‘out of order’ sign I’d scribbled on the car ride over, placed my chewed gum behind it and slapped it outside the door.

“Leaving so soon, sorry I missed the window.” I turned at his amused voice.

I locked the door and flipped back around, “No. You just made it.”

Troy’s eyes moved from the lock on the door, to me. And…had he just swallowed?

“What are we celebrating?” Troy asked.

Me. I’m celebrating me.

“You, of course.”

He stepped away from me tentatively. “I don’t deserve a celebration.”