Alex blinked slowly, teasing.

She laughed immediately. A light, warm laugh that escaped before she could stop it. She ended up covering her face with one hand, trying—and failing—to muffle it.

“God, Alex…” she said, lightly pushing away his outstretched hand. “Your pickup lines are terrible.”

He tilted his head, moving just close enough for her to feel the shift in the air between them.

“That wasn’t a pickup line,” he said softly, his voice almost rough. “I’m just trying to make you smile. You