Page 128 of Whoa

I wanted it. All of it.

But what if my lies ruined it? What if our timing was wrong?

Unable to stand still, I left her sitting on the tabletop to pace over the floor. “I said I’d give you time, and I totally meant that. But this,” I said, stopping midpace to gesture between us. “This is endgame, right? We’re endgame.”

She blinked, and I started pacing again. I know I said fuck the plan, but, bro, rejection was not part of it.

She isn’t just my endgame. She is literally my only game. The only life I want.

“I’m definitely confused right now. And overwhelmed.” My heart shriveled, hearing her say those words. Like went down an entire size. I was about to turn into the Grinch. I totally saw why the green dude hated people.

“Scared too,” she whispered.

I stopped pacing again.

“You’re going to scuff their floor,” she scolded.

“Serves Max right,” I muttered and went back to pacing. Carrying my girl down the stairs. Making her coffee. I should toilet paper his bedroom.

Ha, the Grinch has a dog named Max. The Grinch is Max’s master.

I heard her say something, but I was too busy plotting my Grinch-style TP revenge. I was gonna wet some of it. Probably gonna have to apologize to Wes, but look, this was what happened when you dated a buttinsky.

“Ben!” This time her voice was louder, more insistent.

I swung toward her. “Sorry, sweetheart. I was thinking.”

“Brooding.” She corrected.

“I don’t brood.”

“It’s kinda cute.”

“Yeah?” I reconsidered. “Well, maybe I was doing it a little.”

She giggled.

The sound made my heart levitate. That giggle was something I hadn’t heard enough of lately. “Now, about you being scared…” I started, ready to let her know I was gonna take care of whoever was trying to hurt her. Just Grinch right out on them.

Oh, you want to know my plan for that?

I don’t make plans anymore.

“Benji,” she interrupted, the nickname wiping out all my thoughts. Exactly why I didn’t bother with plans now. All that work, and I’d just toss ‘em out anyway.

“I said there was a time when I wasn’t confused or scared.”

I held out my arms. “Well damn, girl, lay it on me.”

Her face dipped a little, almost like she was suddenly shy. “When you kiss me.”

My arms dropped to my sides, and my stomach flipped. “Say that again,” I said, turning so my ear was directed toward her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched her lift her face. “When you kiss me.”

My head whipped around, stare automatically dropping to her mouth.

“Maybe you could do it… right now?”