Page 44 of Connectio

“Sick! An axolotl.” Will disappears from the hallway, and when I find him again, he’s bent over, mesmerised by Carly’s Mexican walking fish. “I’ve always wanted one of these.”

It’s hard to be annoyed; Rico is pretty darn cute.

“That’s Rico.” I grab his packet of dried salmon flakes and sprinkle some into his tank. “Watch. He waves when you feed him.”

And just like clockwork, Rico slowly swipes his foot in an arc.

I smile and wave back. “You’re welcome, buddy.”

Turning my head to see Will’s reaction, because it’s an awesome trick, my smile falters when our eyes lock.

We both straighten, and I have a sudden urge to move backward when he lowers Sasha to the floor and takes a step toward me, his pupils dilated, his tongue dampening his lips.

“W-What?” I stutter, my shoulders hitting the doorframe, his body caging me to the spot when his palms press the wall beside my head.

“Go out with me.”