Icebreaker

by Hannah Grace

But I ignore him, the start of what is going to be a lot of me ignoring him.

“Do you think it’s a good idea for me to take advice from you? A huge commitmentphobe?”

As for me, I could bow down at her feet and apologize, but I think she’d use it as an excuse to kick me in the head.

“You might think she’s playing hard to get, but she’s not. The iciest thing about her is her heart. She’ll drag you along like she does Rothwell, so save yourself the trouble.”

I feel naïve sharing this, but I’ve had enough therapy in my life to know I should try to communicate my feelings.

Looking at her makes me want to be the funniest guy in the room, so I can be the one to make her laugh. But I’m going to have to settle for her not scowling at me for now.

i love himmm

I tut playfully. “I’m going to teach you how to be nice.” “I’m sure there are plenty of things you can teach me, Nathan, but being nice isn’t one of them. I’m a delight.”

ok la tensión?? apruebo

“What if I’m trying to escape you?” “You definitely don’t need my help. You’re on, like, expert level now or something.”

oh man he is hilarious

She laughs and, my God, that noise. I’ve never enjoyed making someone laugh as much as I do with her. It’s because she makes me work for every laugh and smile—the competitive side of me buzzes when I manage it.

ouuw

Do I need to get on my knees and beg you, Anastasia? Is that what you want?”

please do?

“Ask me nicely. Let me show you how much I like it when you’re nice.”

ON THE FLOOR

The thing I like about her is she’s competitive, but I’m competitive, too; I always have been. It’s how I’ve gotten so good at winning, and right now, we’re competing to see who can hold out the longest.

i need him?!

We have both read enough romance novels and watched enough bad romance movies to know we love a she’s mine type of man.

facts

“I agree. You probably should at least once, Stas. For science.” The performing arts major and the English literature major, the two least STEM people I know, both look at me, synchronized nodding and talking. “For science.”

I don’t bother mentioning my plan to win her over or how surprised she looked when I stepped around her earlier, leaving her with my friends. From now on, she’s going to come to me.

he might be onto something

I’m addicted to her when she’s like this. When she forgets about this game we’re playing, when her eyes drink me in, and her hands grip the front of my shirt like she’s scared I’m going to slip away.

good lord