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That’s a lie. I just don’t want him to see me go from brunette to blond and ask why.

Maybe I have knee-jerk reactions, too.

He lets out a rough sigh, an unwilling smirk coming out with it. Just what I was hoping for.

Even if he looked, there would barely be any photos of me to see. I was always the one behind the camera for family pictures.

My mind tries to latch onto that sudden thought, but I force it away for more interesting news. I’m not letting all that misery taint this moment with him.

“I promise I won’t look,cher,” I tease him and wiggle my knees to move his around, too.

“I’m a hypocrite.”

A blush blooms as horror rises. I instinctively deflect with a joke. “You’ve seen the braces phase?”

He takes in my supposed embarrassment and chuckles, smoothing a thumb over my hot cheek.

“I haven't, but now I’m tempted. You’re beautiful when you blush.”

“Don’t mock me.” I smack his knee with a pout. “I’m about to delete the evidence.”

There’s an idea I can get behind. Like shutting off the phone. Something so simple it never occurred to me.

“Don’t. I want to see everything about you. That’s what makes me a hypocrite. I’m letting my curiosity run wild and shutting yours down before you even have a chance to ask.”

I’m surprised by his blunt honesty. Laying everything out before we’re even serious. I mean,I’mserious, but I didn’t expect him to feel the same way so soon. Does he?

“Go ahead and ask. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” He sits up to brace himself like he’s facing an inquisition.

I’m not sure where to go with it. He’s confrontational instead of his usual calm lack of care. I don’t like it.

He’s not ready. He’s forcing himself to open up. That doesn’t build trust, and I want him to trust me with his heart. Ineedhim to.

There goes the idea of deleting my history. I can’t have him offer up everything and give him nothing in return. That’s not how I want to start things off.

I’ll raccoon roll my way through this and see where we land.

“What’s your perfect first date?”

His brows lower. “I’m serious, Addie.”

My brows go up at his defensive tone. “I’m serious, too, Poe. I want to know how you like to be wooed, so I do it just right.”

He stares intently, and then his expression starts to relax into wary curiosity.

“Getting a tattoo.”

My brow rises in disbelief before I can stifle it.

“Well, step one is done and a big score for me. What next? Do you like ice cream?”

“Why?” He’s struggling, but I can tell he’s trying not to smile at the twist in the conversation.

“Because there’s a place down the street I love, and I want to watch you lick a cone. Fair warning, though. Don’t put your freezing tongue anywhere near me. Wait for it to warm back up first.”

He blinks, his smile turning sly. “Oh, really.”

“Mmhmm,” I assure him with a smug smile. “Back to being serious. What would you do if I took you out for ice cream after work?”