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“We did in my imagination. A lot, actually.”

Aster was dumbfounded. “No. You did not fantasize about us.” The idea of Brynn thinking those thoughts aboutherwas a concept Aster couldn’t quite digest. It was too preposterous but also the most amazing idea.

“Oh, you’re going to have to trust me on this one. It’s been you in my head for quite a while now. Even when I tried to get you the hell out.”

Aster gave Brynn a squeeze. “My mom always said I was stubborn.” She felt the corners of her mouth tug just at the thought of telling her parents that she and Brynn were involved. “Are we a couple?” she asked.

Brynn propped her head up on her hand. “There’s no nuance with you, is there?”

“Is it cooler to just play it by ear? Act aloof? I don’t want to be those things. I want to be with you, so I just say so. I want to be yours.”

Brynn’s voice went soft. “Well, that’s why I flew all the way to Boston.”

Aster melted, playing the declaration over a second time. “You want us to be anus?”

Brynn nodded. “Ripping your clothes off was fun. Don’t get me wrong. But I came for more than just that.” She slid a strand of Aster’s hair behind her ear. “I’ve never been with anyone like you. No one compares.”

She pursed her lips. “I can’t tell if that’s a good thing.”

Brynn laughed. “It is. But it certainly got in the way of me recognizing what this was. I didn’t see you coming.”

Aster laughed. “Story of my life. That last Lavender. A little forgettable. A lot different. What’s her name again?”

“Pretty sure I called it out a couple of times tonight.”

That pulled a laugh. “My kingdom for a replay of those moments.”

“Sold.” Brynn rolled them over, leaving Aster on top, a position Aster liked very much. Oh, but she also coveted the reverse.

“Remember when you came into Hole in One for the first time?”

“After encountering you on your reading bench.”

Aster nodded, staggering their thighs. “I remember peering around my stacking cart, seeing you standing there surveying the menu and thinking to myself, this is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“You really thought that?”

Aster nodded and kissed Brynn. “I was a little faster in noticing you, I’m afraid. As in seconds.”

“Well, some of us weren’t near perfect on our SATs.”

Aster’s jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. She grinned. “Who told you about my SAT score?” A kiss. “Give me their name.”

“I’ll never say.”

“SAT scores are protected by the government.”

“They are not.” Another kiss. A deeper one. And then the kissing got even hotter. “Oh, hello,” Brynn said, parting her legs and letting Aster’s hips settle between.

If there had ever been a night to remember, it would be this one. How had Aster been preparing desserts in a restaurant like any other day just three hours ago? Not a clue what was coming.

“Is that a yes?” Aster asked, before taking a single liberty.

“That’s a hell yes,” Brynn said, pulling Aster’s face to hers for an open-mouthed kiss. “I plan to last a little longer this time. Just watch.”

“You want slow? I can deliver slow.”

Brynn closed her eyes and her cheeks flushed with warmth, something Aster now knew happened when she was turned on. She pocketed that information and pressed her lips to Brynn’s neck, already wet again herself, and ready for anything and everything that lay ahead.