I picked a busy street for the vibe and set their meet-up for the next day.

***

I got there early and ducked behind a stall.

When Brittany and William showed up and actually seemed to click, I called his phone, layering on fake stress. "Uh... something came up. Club leader dumped a last-minute task on me. Can't make it. You two hang without me."

He hesitated.

I cut him off fast. "Gotta go, he's calling again." Hung up.

William looked around.

I sank lower. For a second, I swore his eyes flicked my way... maybe just paranoia.

Tugging my baseball cap down, I finally felt a little safer.

The smell of fried cheese curds from a truck nearby had my stomach growling.

I watched them: snacking, watching street shows, Brittany trying on accessories while William stood there smiling like the perfect boyfriend. They looked like a couple.

Something twisted in my gut. Guess this is how Batman felt when Robin got a girlfriend.

I shook the thought away, but when I looked up—poof. They were gone.

Panic hit. I scanned the crowd—nothing.

Then I spun around and smacked straight into someone. My cap brim snapped back, throwing me off balance—until a hand caught me by the waist.

Another hand knocked my cap clean off.

I reached to grab it back—froze. My arm dropped.

"I... uh, finished my task early. Saw you guys and didn't wanna crash."

He let out a quiet, knowing laugh. "Do I really look that easy to fool?"

I bit my tongue. "Where's Brittany? You were just with her."

Glancing up, I caught his sigh.

"She went home."

***

I just nodded, trailing after him.

He stopped at a food truck. "One order of fried cheese curds. Extra ketchup."

My ears perked. I glanced up at him, surprised.

Minutes later, hot greasy treasure in my hands. I held one up to him. He met my eyes, leaned down, and took a bite.

Figuring he'd cooled off, I asked, "So... when did you know I was following?"

"From the start."

...Seriously? That fast?

He tapped my shirt. "You wore that yesterday."

Oh. Not trash stealth—trash laundry cycle.

He seemed chill now, so I pushed my luck. "So... what do you think of Brittany?"

He froze mid-step and turned, eyes locked on me. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb. Do you like her or not?" My voice dipped under the weight of his stare.

Forever passed before he finally said, quiet but certain: "I don't."

Wait—seriously? Standards that high? Not even a smoke show like her made the cut?

Now I had to know. "Then what kind of person do you like?"

His gaze sharpened, holding me pinned for thirty whole seconds.

Just when I thought he'd blow me off, he leaned down, caging me in.

Startled, I shoved his chest. His heartbeat thudded against my palm, my arm going weak.

He let out a low laugh. "I like big eyes, a cute face... and someone clingy."

His breath brushed my skin, and heat shot straight through me.