you hadn’t spoken to garrett since the kiss.

it was one reckless night — one stupid moment. just one kiss with the boy your parents warned you about.

and ever since, you’d avoided him like your life depended on it.

you thought it worked. until lunch.

you were mid-bite, sitting beside some guy from your english class, laughing at something dumb.

that's when a familiar shadow loomed over your shoulder.

“move. i wanna sit next to my girl.” a voice. rough. confident.

you turned. froze.

garrett.

the guy next to you blinked. “your what?”

“your girl?” you echoed, trying not to panic. “what are you talking about?”

he tilted his head, eyes sharp and amused. “are you asking a question?”

you narrowed your eyes. “i just don’t see who you’re referring to.”

he leaned down, voice lower now — only for you.

“you.”

you swallowed. hard. “no way. i’m not your girl.”

his smirk deepened, gaze lingering on your mouth like he remembered exactly how it felt.

“whatever you gotta tell yourself, sweetheart,” garrett said, sliding into the seat beside you, slinging an arm over the back of your chair.

“but next time you kiss me like that, don’t bother pretending you didn’t mean it.”