The kiss grows so deep it pulls me under like a riptide.
I can’t say how long it lasts—seconds or minutes—but then, as if a switch has been flipped, reality crashes back.
I freeze.
Theo must feel it too because he immediately pulls back, his breathing uneven, his forehead barely not touching mine.
His eyes are wide, searching mine, and I know—he’s thinking exactly what I am.
We shouldn’t have done that.
We can’t have done that.
I scramble upright, trying to create some space between us. My skin burns, my heart races, and Theo—Theo runs a hand through his tousled hair and exhales sharply.
“Shit.” His voice is rough. “I—I just broke your dating ban.”
I groan, leaning back against the sofa. “I swore to my therapist I’d stick to it. I promised.”
He rubs the back of his neck, looking half-apologetic, half-something else. “I, uh… technically I don’t think a kiss was part of your therapist’s official ban, right? Just, you know… dating?”
I shoot him a dry look. “Oh, I'm sure that's exactly what she meant. ‘Go ahead and make out with random men, as long as you don’t have dinner with them.’”
Theo winces. “Ouch.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “Not you. Sorry. It’s just… me. My whole pattern.” I wave vaguely. “The very reason I even set up this fucking ban in the first place.”
He hesitates, then, in the sweetest, most tentative way, asks, “What about after the dating ban?”
I turn my head, blinking in surprise.
His fingers tap once on his knee, as if he’s nervous but determined. “I mean…” He clears his throat. “Would a date after the ban still count as breaking the rules?”
My stomach flips.
I open my mouth, then close it, before exhaling a laugh and shaking my head. “You're asking if I’d go on a date with you in a few weeks?”
His lips twitch. “I could set a reminder. Keep everything very official.”
I giggle like a naughty school girl. “You’re impossible.”
But my heart is still pounding.
Because the truth is—I want to say yes. And I guess this is my answer. This is what Pee-Pee told me. When it’s right, I’ll know.
"Alright. Ask me again when the ban’s over," I say confidently.
Theo studies me carefully before shifting to pull his phone from his pocket.
“What are you doing?”
“Setting a reminder.” He scrolls through his phone like it’s the most natural thing.
Again, I let out a laugh. “You’re not serious.”
“Completely serious,” he assures me, tapping away on his calendar. “So… when’s the big day?”
I press my lips together, suddenly feeling far too warm.
