“Besides.” His hand tugs lightly at one of my springy curls that’s fallen in his way. “I love a challenge.” I jolt back, pulling away from his sudden closeness. “You have to stop.” “Stop what?” he asks, expression suddenly innocent despite the flicker of excitement still clear in his emerald eyes. “Y-you—” I huff, shoving my curls back off my neck. “You know what! The… that thing!” I point at him, my voice still nothing but a harsh whisper. “The flirting. I need to focus.” “Am I distracting you?”
