“I…I was just excited.”“Yeah, I’d say you were,” Dee said, grinning like an idiot.Daemon was staring at me like he’s just won the lottery. “I kind of like this level of excitement. Makes me think of—““Daemon!” both of us shouted.“What?” He grinned, tousling Dee’s hair. “I was only suggesting—““We know what you were suggesting.”

“He wasa jerk. Moody. But there had been brief moments that I’d spent with him—like a nanosecond—when I thought I might have seen the real Daemon. Atleast a better Daemon. And that part made me curious. And the other side, the jerky one, yeah, that part didn’t make me curious.It sort of excited me.”

“Frozen, I stood staring at him like he was a vision or something. His hair was still damp, and a few droplets glistened on his face. When he caught me, warmth burned across my cheeks.“Were you just ogling me, Angel?”“No, I wasn’t.”He chuckled. “I think you were.”I whirled around and swept my hands to my hips. “Fine I was ogling you. Happy now?”“Actually I am. I like it when you look at me like you want me. Like you think I’m… handsome.”My brows rose in surprise. “Handsome? That doesn’t sound like the way you would describe yourself.”With a grin, he asked, “And just how would I describe myself?”“Hmm, sexy, hot as hell, and panty melting?” I challenged as I handed him a Coke.“Yeah, you’re right. Those really describe me better.”

“You like me,” he finally said. “You like me, like me.” He was trying not to smile.“No. I hate you,” I said, hoping that saying it would make it so.“And yet, you draw me.” Noah was still smug, completely undeterred by my declaration.This was torture; worse somehow than what just happened, even though it was only the two of us. Or because it was only the two of us.“Why?” he asked.“Why what?” What could I say? Noah, despite you being an asshole, or maybe because of it, I’d like to rip off your clothes and have your babies. Don’t tell.”

“Does P-Jamie... like me?"Malcolm blinked. This was clearly not the kind of dirt he'd been expecting."I mean,like me, like me." I clarified quickly. "What are you? Twelve?" he asked, incredulous."You aren't supposed to make fun of me!" I scolded."You never said you were going to act like a teenybopper. That's a special circumstance. Any judge would agree.""Fine." I started to rise. "Like I said, forget I asked.""Wait, Amy. Sit down," he said with a sigh. Malcolm was leaning his fits against the wood, staring down at his knuckles. I sat. "What?"He didn't look up. "This is all just between us, right?""Yeah.""I wouldn't say he likes you.""Oh." Oh. Of course not. How stupid of me. How ridiculous, really-"He's pretty much in love with you.”

“Hey, if you're going to say what I think you're going to say…wait, are you going to say it?” he asked, smiling down at me.“Yes, yes I think so.” I grinned shyly back.“Well, then I think we should say it at the same time, yes?” he suggested.“Count of three?” I asked. He nodded.“One…” I started.“Two…” he said, eyes twinkling.“Three,” we said together. We both paused, smiling hugely, and then I took a deep breath.“Jack, I love you.”“I know,” he said at the same time.Ass…“Ass!” I said, smacking him on the arm.“That was great!” he laughed.”