I wanted to show Chase my book but constantly chickened out. What if someone else saw it, what if my parents did? I wasn't ready for that, despite my positive experience with my stepbrother.

I tried to come up with other subtle ways to drop a hint but they all just seemed dumb, and contrived. I wish I had the ability to be recklessly flirty with the risk of making an absolute fool of myself but I just... simply... couldn't.

At least, Chase admitted that he'd enjoyed my company last night. At the end of the day, he even invited me for burgers and milkshakes. His favorite diner had a view of the beach and I idly watched the sunset from our secluded corner in the back.

Chase flipped through a menu before suddenly dropping it and asking, "Tanner, do you like me?"

"What?!" I demanded, immediately starting to panic. "Why are you asking me that?"

"Your brother approached me during my afternoon break and just... told me."

"Are you serious?! I'm gonna fucking kill him!"

"So it's true?" he asked.

I really was going to kill Duncan but that wouldn't change my current predicament.

"Yes," I breathed.

I wanted to close my eyes and wait for him to say something, instead, our server arrived with our orders. Chase calmly squirted ketchup onto his plate but stayed quiet.

"You can just tell me that you're not interested," I said, shaking. I'd never felt this exposed, this vulnerable.

He motioned for me to lean forward as if he was going to whisper his rejection. Instead, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

"I've been trying to flirt with you since the moment I saw you smile," he said, grinning at me.

It felt like someone turned on a tap and let all the joy in the world flow into me. I always feared that who I was would one day be used to hurt me. Yet, here I sat, my fingertips pressed to my freshly kissed lips.

"I was about to give up when your brother intervened on your behalf."

Maybe, I shouldn't kill Duncan after all.

"Chase," I said, still riding my wave of euphoria.

"Yes."

I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was looking and said, "Shut up and kiss me again."

I definitely didn't need to tell him twice.