Page 121 of Falcon’s Forever

That's exactly what I keep telling him, hearing it out of his own mouth for once. "So, what happens next time?"

"I ask my brothers whether I'm seeing the whole board before I move."

"And if they say no?"

"Then I listen."

"You make that sound easy." I’m watching his face, checking his emotions.

"It won't be."

I fold my arms. "And if I tell you something?"

"That depends."

"On what?" I ask.

"Whether you're telling me as Cara, or trying to run club security."

I stare at him, then laugh. "Asshole."

"I'll listen either way. Just so you know."

"That was nearly charming." I smile at him.

"I’ve been practicing."

His gaze drops to my hands, then back to my face. "Last night meant a lot," he says. "I don't want to push it."

"I know."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask what you wanted to ask last night," I say.

His expression shifts. "What?"

I smile, and for once I'm the terrifying one in the room. "Can I kiss you?"

My breath catches. There it is the question he didn't ask on the porch. I could say yes. I want to say yes, my whole body's already leaning toward him in ways I refuse to examine too closely. But wanting isn't the same as being ready.

"Not yet," I say, gentle.

He nods, there’s no disappointment turning into pressure, and no argument. "Okay."

That means almost as much as the kiss would have. I step closer anyway and take his hand. "I'm getting there."

His fingers close around mine. "There’s no rush."

"You've never been good at waiting."

"I’m adding it to the list."

"Is the list a minimum of six pages?" I love this banter back and forth.

"At least."

I laugh, and he squeezes my hand once before letting go before I have to. It’s another choice, another brick gone from the wall around my heart.