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She gets it.

She gets me.

Just like that. No judgment, no hesitation.

I never realized how much I feared people’s opinions until I met her and I didn’t have to anymore.

With Arliss, I forget all the bullshit.

She’s just good.

Beautiful in a way that’s got nothing to do with her looks and everything to do with how she sees people.

And I swear to God, I better not fuck this up.

“I, uh, wasn’t expecting company,” I mumble as I unlock the front door. “Sorry for the mess.”

The place isn’t terrible, but there’s boots and work clothes scattered around like I got in a wrestling match with my laundry and lost.

“Not into housekeeping, huh?” she teases, picking up one of my socks like it’s some rare specimen.

“Shit—gimme that.”

I grab it from her, hurl it in the general direction of the laundry room, and rub the back of my neck, mortified.

She laughs softly and looks around, then says, “It’s bigger than I thought.”

Her eyes snap to mine, and I can see the exact moment she realizes what she said.

I smirk. Can’t help it.

“You just know how to compliment a guy, don’t you, Little Girl?” I tease.

“You can tell I’m good at this, right?” she grins, striking a little pose. “Don’t be jealous of my coolness.”

I chuckle, deep and real.

God, she’s so fucking cute.

And then I’m moving.

Because I can’t stand the space between us.

Can’t breathe with her in the room and not have my hands on her.

“You’re so fucking pretty,” I whisper, reaching for her slowly, carefully.

Like she might vanish if I move too fast.

She stills.

Her breath catches.

Those big blue eyes lift to mine, and I swear I could drown in them.

Everything in me is burning.

And all I can think is please let me be good enough for this girl who just lit my whole world on fire.