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Her voice softens. "What made you remember the list?"

I shrug. "You laughed at something James said. I looked at you, and boom. List gone. All I could think was how you’ve managed to hijack my focus. And I kinda don’t mind."

She stares at me for a moment. "Okay, I’ll admit, that’s better than a magic trick."

She laughs, and the sound settles between us like a secret. There’s something in the way she’s looking at me now, like she’s trying to figure me out, and liking what she sees. And that’s dangerous. Because every second we stand here, I’m less interested in playing it safe.

"You’re funnier than I expected," she says softly.

"That’s not how I expected that sentence to start."

"And you’re... different. Not what people assume."

"You mean not a cocky player who hits on anything with a pulse?"

She shrugs, playful. "The bar was low."

I chuckle. "Good to know I’m clearing it."

We fall quiet for a beat.

Then she says, "My sister doesn't think you do, but every time we talk, you surprise me."

My throat tightens. "Good surprise?"

"Maybe."

I don’t move. But I want to.

She shifts, just slightly. Like maybe she wants to too.

Our eyes lock. The moment stretches until she moves to sip her drink.

Then…

"There you are!"

We both jump as James barrels around the corner, drink in hand.

"Jesus," Mandy mutters.

James looks between us, then smirks. "Ohhhh. Sorry. Was I interrupting? Wait, don’t answer. Your faces already did."

"Go away," I say without heat.

He lifts his hands. "Say no more, Romeo. Just here to warn you, Kira challenged Parker to a shot contest. Grace is filming. Bedlam is brewing."

He disappears with a wink.

Mandy and I look at each other. She’s biting her lip.

"He’s the worst," I say.

"He’s also kind of the best."

"Debatable."

We start walking back, but slower. Like maybe we’re both a little unwilling to let go of whatever that almost was.