Cherry took off like a shot—left the two of them just sitting there, Jasmine overhead, petals everywhere, and honestly, it felt like they'd landed in the middle of some indie film.
Kai kinda fidgeted, hand rubbing the back of his neck, cheeks still flushed. "She's gotten bold, huh?"
Noah just grinned, voice all low and soft. "Yeah, but she's not totally wrong. I mean… I did stare at you last night. Sue me."
Kai looked over so fast you'd think he'd heard his name called. "Wait, so you're just… admitting it?"
Noah shrugged, getting a little closer, and, wow, his breath was right there against Kai's cheek. "How could I not? You make it easy."
For a second, neither of them said a thing. The only sounds were leaves moving and cicadas doing their whole summer soundtrack thing. Kai dropped his gaze, messing with his shirt like it suddenly had secrets.
"I was freaked out," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "Like, what if this is all in our heads? What if it just… fizzles?"
