Page 70 of Paws & Order
"Monsters."
"I know.”
He laughs and I hand him a mug of coffee. He takes it without looking away from me. Which suddenly feels like a mistake.
The apartment seems smaller than usual. Warmer. The air between us carrying its own sort of electricity. Then he notices the pastry box.
"What's this?"
"Clover had an idea.”
His expression immediately becomes suspicious.
"That's concerning."
I hand him the cupcake. He studies it. Then me. Then the cupcake. Then me again.
"What did she tell you?"
"Nothing useful."
"Liar."
I sigh. "She said it makes ‘it easier to get through the awkward stage. It’s like a gentle nudge.”
His eyebrows lift, and for a second, neither of us says anything.
"You want a nudge?" The teasing disappears from his voice and the question lands between us.
Honest. Real.
My pulse stumbles as I whisper, “Maybe."
His gaze holds mine. Steady. Patient. Dangerously warm.
"I like where we’re going, Cass."
“So do I."
"I just don't want to mess it up."
The distance between us disappears.
Not completely. Just enough.
His hand settles over mine. Large. Warm. Careful. "Liza." The way he says my name should be illegal.
"You're not going to mess this up."
I swallow. “What if we move too fast?"
His thumb brushes my knuckles. The gesture is impossibly gentle.
"Then we'll slow down."
Something inside my chest loosens. Because that's Cassian. No pressure. No expectation. Choice. Always choice.
"I've been worried about the opposite."
