Chapter 87: Plants, Pinkies & Paper Cranes

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"Do you want something else?" I ask.

"I also have-brace yourself-honey-dipped dried persimmons."

He huffs. A real sound. Almost a laugh.

"I'm serious!" I reach into the tote bag beside me and pull out a small container.

"They look sketchy, but they're addictive. Want one?"

He hesitates. Then, after a moment, he reaches out.

His fingers brush mine for the briefest second. Warm. Solid. Real.

I look up and catch his gaze. He looks away instantly, cheeks a little pinker than before.

That flicker of vulnerability? I hold it carefully. Like a flame in my palm.

I decide to keep my voice soft.

Playful, but not overwhelming.

Like talking to a scared animal who's wandered too close to the campfire.

"You don't have to talk, you know," I say.

"I'm good at monologuing. Really good. Ask anyone."

He raises an eyebrow. I take that as permission.

"So, I was thinking-if soulmates are real, which, obviously they are because, hi, LoveMap,"

I gesture at the space between us,

"then does that mean the universe has, like, a sense of humor? Because it matched me with someone who's allergic to eye contact."

His lips twitch. Again. A win.

"I'm kidding," I say quickly, grinning.

"Sort of. You have the intense brooding thing down. Very mysterious. I like it."

He shakes his head, and this time, he actually chuckles-quiet, short, but it's like the sun peeking through storm clouds.

I feel myself lean into that warmth, eyes lingering on his face just a second too long.

He's beautiful

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He's beautiful. So beautiful.

There's something raw about him.

Like a song that hasn't been finished yet.

You know it's going to be a masterpiece, but right now it's still trying to figure itself out.

"I don't want to scare you," I say, more serious now.

"I know this is weird. A lot. Trust me-I've been through enough to know how terrifying people can be. How scary love can be."

He looks at me then.
Really looks.
His brows furrow.

I press on.

"But I also know what it feels like when it's real. When it's warm. When it doesn't want anything from you except you."

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