Page 7 of A Hot Mess

He keeps smiling, a genuine warmth that leaves me speechless. “How was your day?”

“Long,” I manage, fiddling with my fork, afraid I’ll melt into a puddle of confused happiness and tension. “I’ve been trying to wrap things up at school.”

Atlas nods, genuine interest in his eyes. “Sage mentioned you teach. What grade?”

“Fifth,” I say, meeting his gaze and finding it hard to look away. “What about you? Find everything you need?”

“No problems at all,” he says, and the way his eyes hold mine captive causes my heart to catch.

As we eat, I can’t stop staring at him. The food’s incredible, but it doesn’t compare to the way he looks at me. The way he pays attention. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he has feelings for me, too.

“Thanks,” I finally say, my voice more certain than it’s been all day. “This was amazing.”

Atlas smiles, the curve of it sending an unfamiliar thrill through me. “Glad you liked it.”

I nod, biting my lip, unsure how to hold everything in. “Let me help with the dishes.”

We stand, moving toward the kitchen together, and I wonder if he’s noticed how nervous I am. I take a deep breath, trying to get my zigzagging emotions under control.

Our hands brush, and an electric current shoots up my arm, igniting a wildfire inside me. We both pause, and the moment hangs between us, taut and trembling.

He stares down at me, and I swear he’s about to kiss me. Then he takes the plates and steps away, leaving me aching. My pulse roars like a train on an endless track, and I try to breathe, to think, to stay grounded.

I’m so screwed.

As soon as the kitchen’s clean, I lie and say I’m dead on my feet before hauling ass to my room. Running isn’t my usual style, but nothing is going normal right now, and I need to get away before I jump Atlas’ bones.

I close the door behind me, leaning against it, heart pounding as I acknowledge to myself that I’m falling hard and fast for Atlas Hot and there might be no stopping this runaway train.

I groan as a thought suddenly occurs to me. Now that I don’t have to work every day, I’m going to be stuck in this tiny apartment with him and my growing feelings. Yep. Screwed.