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There was a saying Margo heard that she promised to take to heart: Never trust how you feel about your life past nine pm.
As a chronic overthinker, she knew more than most that her brain could run her around in circles with scenarios and makeshift ideas that caused her to rethink every choice she’d ever made.
Tiresome, she knew.
Her head could get her into all sorts of troubles that grew into doubts and beliefs like the one she was brewing now: her life was missing Miles Morales.
Leaning over, his hand rested easily on the back of her chair, creating an intimate space.
She kept her arms folded, elbows propped on the table as she held onto her biceps, resisting the usual subconscious urge to fidget due to sheer nerves.
This boy was gorgeous.
Tightly coiled hair, soft brown eyes, and a breathtaking smile.
And don’t get her started on his personality.
She knew Miles through mutual friends. They’d exchange a few words but mostly stayed in their respective circles.
This time, it was different.
Hobie, one of her best friends, decided to throw a kickback for his birthday. It was nothing too big, just a few friends, friends of those friends, food, and drinks.
Margo isn’t one to turn down a good time.
She arrived an hour late, as per usual. Although knowing Hobie, she was technically on time. His carefree approach to life caused him to be late for everything and therefore, late to properly prepare his own event.
She waltzed her way straight to the snack table, picking up a plate topped with patties and tarts partnered with a bottle of sorrel shandy. If there was one thing she was going to do at a Hobie event, it was eat.
However, her plate stack caught the eye of Miles Morales, who was ready to tease her, thus opening up an easy conversation.
Now, he sat close enough to her for his cologne to roll off his person. It surrounded her, overwhelmed her, and pushed her to pay attention to everything he said. Otherwise, she’d be lost in her head.
“I’m sorry but there’s no way you can say you love traveling and haven’t traveled anywhere.”
Margo laughed softly, looking down momentarily before locking eyes with him once more.
“But I can. I’ve been busy with school, but as soon as I get the opportunity, my ass is gettin’ on a plane as soon as possible.”
Miles smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling in authenticity.
“Ah, a bookworm.”
“Somethin’ wrong with liking books, sir?”
“Quite the opposite, ma’am.”
Margo hummed softly, biting onto her bottom lip. This boy was slick and she was already slipping and sliding into whatever trap he laid for her.
Her mind was going ninety miles per hour, her heart rate raised, and she sipped ever so carefully on that shandy in hopes of not sweating her nerves out.
“I just want to get my life together ya know,” Margo started again, “Get school finished, get a good job, enough money, travel while young. Afterward, I can do all the old shit.”
“Marriage and kids?”
Margo shrugged.
“Maybe. You, on the other hand, look like the type to marry at twenty-three, and have a family of five kids and two dogs.”
That brought out a large belly laugh from Miles, making him lean back. A small smile sneaked on Margo’s face.
She liked making him laugh.
“That’s good, Margo. That’s good.” A tingling feeling swirled in her stomach as her name rolled off his tongue. He returned to his leaned-in position before continuing. “Twenty-three is too damn early and five is definitely a handful. But marriage and kids is in the future. With the right one, of course.”
“Already got someone in mind?”
Fuck. Margo swore she wouldn’t bring things like this up. Not while his eyes are locked onto her with such a soft gaze.
“Not yet. Why? Are you interested?”
It was now Margo’s turn to belly laugh.
“You play too damn much,” she said, sucking her teeth and rolling her eyes.
“I’m not hearing a no.”
He was too quick with it. Too fast, too flirty, too damn attractive for her to think straight.
It was around ten o’clock at night. Soca music was blaring from the speakers in Hobie’s flat and Margo Kess was genuinely considering marrying a man she spoke more than five words to for the first time.
She’ll eventually take that saying to heart.
Eventually.