Page 88 of The Incredible Ordinary

“Wait,” he says when I start to turn. “Stay for a second. I have something I need to talk to you about.”

Kira stops on the threshold and tilts her head to the side in question.

“I just need to ask something about soccer quickly,” Milán says.

Kira nods, and we watch her go inside, the door closing behind her with a softclick. I turn to look at Milán.

“What about soccer?” I ask.

He waves me off, and for a second his eyes remain on the door before he turns to me.

“I could do something that would solve your current problem. But it’s a really dumb idea, and I don’t think we should.”

I blink at him.

“That’s quite a pitch.”

“I’m known for those. The question is, are you in?”

I have no idea what he plans to do, or what I’m signing up for, and usually I would care a lot. I haven’t taken any kind of risks since Kira came to me with tears in her eyes and a positive pregnancy test between her shaky fingers. I haven’t had any desire to take risks.

But now here he is, standing in front of me, smiling, daring me to throw caution to the wind.

I don’t think twice.

I barely think once before I nod.

“Come here,” he says.

I step closer until we’re standing on the sidewalk under the tall linden tree that’s been growing in front of our house since I can remember.

“What?” I ask in a hushed voice, looking around.

The streetlights cast shadows over him where they shine through the branches.

“What?” I ask again.

His eyes bore into me, and then we’re moving. Somehow I end up with my back against the trunk of the linden tree with Milán right in front of me.

“Do you trust me?” he asks.

“Yes.”

I don’t need an escape route. I don’t want one.

He smiles.

“In that case.” His voice is low, and now we’re standing toe to toe, and he leans forward. “If I were to put my hand right here…” He slides his palm over my cheek. “And lean forward just a bit,” he murmurs, so close that I can taste his breaths. His nose bumps against mine. The moment extends. “Now, if anyone was to, say, try and spy from any of the windows…” His voice goes even quieter. It’s barely more than a whisper. “…it’d look suspiciously like we’re kissing.”

My stomach jolts with violent force, and my eyes widen. My breathing seems to be simultaneously nonexistent and too loud.

I swallow hard.

When did air become thick?

“Spying from the window?” I repeat stupidly.

He chuckles, chest brushing against mine.