“Okay,” I say. “A sip for a sip, how’s that?”

Brandon’s index finger circles the top of his mug, he arches a brow and my lips widen into a charming smile which I hope will make him say yes. He doesn’t. Instead, he continues staring at me and I am forced to place a hand over his, bringing his attention back to the flowered cup. A corner of his lips lift but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes and my hand finds his knee under the table to squeeze it. He’s making a big deal out of it.

His Adam apple bobs, his tongue comes out to wet his lip...