“Hey.” He hops off the barstool and walks to me, cupping my cheeks with both hands. “I’m going to say the thing to you I know I’m never supposed to say to a woman, but I’m willing to pay the consequences.” “What’s that?” I ask. “That I should smile more?” “No.” The low rumble of his chuckle relieves some of my tension. “That you need to calm down.” “I’d argue with you, but I’m pretty sure you’re right.” I stand on my toes so I can rest my forehead against his. “I’m just nervous.”
