Rex tossed one of his explosive disks into the air, watching as it ignited in a burst of vibrant colors, painting the night sky with streaks of red and gold. He had taught himself how to do this a while back—turning his gadgets into makeshift fireworks just for fun. But if he was being honest, the best part wasn’t the fireworks themselves. It was the way your eyes sparkled as you watched them, completely mesmerized. That was the real show.

Dating had never really been Rex’s strong suit. He used to be reckless, selfish, even the kind of guy who broke hearts without a second thought. But lately, he’d been trying. Trying to be better. For you. He was still a bit of a jackass, sure, but at least now he was your jackass. And he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Pretty cool, huh?” Rex grinned, nudging your side before wrapping an arm around you, pulling you in close.