Can you play Ken?

Mallory

The thought had been eating away at me all day.

I wanted to ask him out.

Me. Mallory Lynch. Asking Kian Holland out on an actual date.

The idea alone should've had me second-guessing every life choice that brought me to this point. Kian was trouble, and I knew it. My da would kill me, my brother would probably kick off, and I'd never hear the end of it from my cousins.

But I still wanted to.

Because Kian wasn't just trouble-he was the only person who made my stomach flip every time he smirked at me. He was the only person I caught myself thinking about when I wasn't supposed to. The only person I wanted to be around.

The only problem?

I had no idea how to actually ask him.

I wasn't exactly shy, but this was different. It wasn't just banter or flirting for the sake of it. If I asked, I'd be admitting that I actually liked him, that I actually wanted something real with him.

And that was terrifying.

I was still overthinking it when I got to the garage after school. Kian was already there, leaning against one of the cars with a rag in his hand, looking stupidly good in his grease-stained hoodie and work boots.

His eyes met mine, and immediately, that smirk appeared.

"Hey, princess. What brings you here?"

I hesitated for half a second before stepping closer. "What, I can't just stop by?"

"You can," he said, tilting his head slightly, "but we both know that's not why you're here."

I swallowed hard, suddenly nervous.

Just ask. Just get it over with.

But before I could say a word, Kian tossed the rag aside and took a step toward me, his voice dropping lower.

"Actually, since you're here..." He scratched the back of his head, almost like he was nervous himself. "D'you wanna go out sometime? Like, properly?"

I blinked.

Did he just-

"Like, a date?" I asked, just to be sure.

"Yeah," he said, his lips twitching. "A date."

I stared at him, my brain struggling to catch up.

The bastard beat me to it.

A slow smile spread across my face. "Took you long enough, Holland."

He grinned, his hand brushing against mine. "That a yes, then?"

I rolled my eyes, but I didn't let go.

"Yeah, it's a yes."

I barely made it two steps before Kian tugged me back, his fingers curling around my wrist.

"Wait," he said, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You're not just gonna say yes and walk away, are ya?"

I smirked. "Maybe."

His grip on my wrist loosened, his fingers grazing my palm before he laced them with mine. "Nah, I think you owe me more than that."

"Owe you?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the way my heart flipped at the way he was holding my hand, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Aye," he murmured, stepping closer. "You gave me a hard time for ages, Mal. Think I deserve somethin' for my patience."

I tilted my head, pretending to think. "Oh? And what do you want?"

His smirk widened, and before I could react, he pulled me flush against him, his free hand landing on my hip.

"This," he said simply, before pressing his lips to mine.

I melted.

I hated how easy it was, how natural it felt to kiss him back, like I hadn't spent so long trying to convince myself that this wasn't a good idea. My fingers curled into his hoodie as his lips moved against mine, slow and teasing, like he was savoring it.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless, my forehead resting against his.

"Still think I took too long?" he murmured.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Shut up, Holland."

He grinned. "Make me, Lynch."

I kissed him again instead.