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"My point exactly." She shakes her head. "Face it, Ty. You're like catnip for the pure and wholesome. Even Goliath here knows it."

Goliath's tail thumps against the floor in agreement, the traitor.

Cindy’s grin lingers like she’s won some unspoken bet, and I feel my face flush hotter than a sunburn. I focus on Goliath, running my fingers through his fur, pretending he’s the only thing that exists in this room. But my mind’s racing, and it’s not Jason or his grandmother’s cat that’s on it.

Cindy’s right about one thing—I’ve got a type. It’s just... not the type she thinks. If she knew what was on my Kindle, she’dprobably keel over from shock. Or laugh so hard she’d need a doctor.

“You ever think about…,” I start, then stop, biting my lip. What am I doing?

“Think about what?” Cindy’s leaning on the counter now, chin propped in her hand, like she’s waiting for me to say something ridiculous.

“Never mind.” I shake my head, focusing on Goliath’s nails. “It’s stupid.”

“Oh, come on, Ty. Don’t leave me hanging. Think about what?”

I hesitate, my fingers pausing mid-trim. “Do you ever think about… I don’t know… meeting someone who’s just… dangerous?”

Cindy’s eyebrows shoot up. “Dangerous? Like a guy with a criminal record? Or a guy who doesn’t use his turn signal?”

I laugh, but it comes out a little strangled. “No, not like that. More like… someone who’s strong, you know? Protective. A little rough around the edges.”

She snorts. “Rough around the edges? Ty, you’re describing a lumberjack. Or maybe a guy who works at a hardware store.”

I roll my eyes, but my stomach’s doing cartwheels. If only she knew. If only she knew about the Kindle in my drawer, the one with the stories that make my cheeks burn just thinking about them. The ones where the hero’s not a hero at all—he’s a villain, a captor, someone who takes what he wants and doesn’t apologize for it.

“Never mind,” I mutter, finishing up Goliath’s last nail. “It’s dumb.”

“Nah, it’s not dumb,” she says, still smirking. “Just unexpected. You’re all sunshine and rainbows, Ty. Didn’t think you’d be into the bad boy thing.”

“I’m not!” I say too quickly, and Cindy’s smirk deepens.

“Sure you’re not,” she says, dragging out the words.

I exhale, trying to steady my racing heart. “Anyway, Goliath’s done. You can take him back to his owner.”

She pushes off the counter, still grinning like she’s figured out some big secret. “Whatever you say, Ty. But if you ever want to upgrade from choir boys, let me know. I know a guy.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, though I’m not sure I mean it.

She leads Goliath out, his tail wagging like he’s the star of the show, and I slump back against the wall. My Kindle’s burning a hole in my bag, and I think about the story I was reading last night—the one where the hero kidnaps the heroine and keeps her in a cabin in the woods.

Cindy would probably have a field day if she knew.

A deep bark rips through my daydream, followed by Cindy's shriek. My heart leaps into my throat as I bolt toward the front of the store.

"Tyler, help!"

Cindy's arms strain against Goliath's leash, her feet sliding on the tile floor. Outside the window, a scrawny orange cat sits cleaning its paws, completely unbothered by the chaos it's causing.

"No, Goliath, stay!" I lunge for the leash, but my fingers brush empty air.

The leather slips through Cindy's grasp. Goliath charges through the door, the bell clanging wildly against the glass. The cat's eyes go wide, and it shoots into the street like an orange bullet.

"Goliath, come back!" My feet pound against the sidewalk as I chase after him. The cat darts between parked cars, Goliath hot on its tail.

"Stop!" Cindy's scream pierces the air.

Metal screeches against asphalt. I turn my head, and time freezes. A cherry-red sports car fills my vision, bearing down onme with unstoppable force. The sun glints off its hood, blinding me. My muscles lock. I can't move. Can't breathe.