Joe leaned a little closer, his voice teasing but warm.
“Maybe your first boyfriend was Mr. Right. Maybe you just had to dance with all the Mr. Wrong’s to remember him.”
Nelly laughed, shaking her head.
“Oh, please. If he was Mr. Right, why didn’t it work out the first time?”
Joe grinned.
“Because sometimes the heart takes the scenic route. You had to try the wrong steps before you found the right rhythm again.”
Nelly smirked, nudging him with her shoulder.
“And you think you’re the rhythm?”
Joe winked.
“I don’t just think it. I know it.”
Her laughter softened, and for a moment, she just looked at him.
“Careful, Joe. Lines like that might actually make me believe you.”
Joe leaned back with a crooked smile.
“You know, Zach Morris and Kelly Kapowski? They had chemistry. Everyone saw it.”
Nelly laughed, rolling her eyes.
“Saved by the Bell? Really, Joe? That’s your comparison?”
He shrugged, eyes never leaving hers.
“Yeah, they had chemistry… but you and me? We’ve got history. And that’s stronger. Chemistry can fade. History? That’s written in ink.”
Her smile softened, lingering.
“You always know how to say the one thing that makes me stop joking.”
Joe grinned.
“Good. Then maybe you’ll finally start believing me.”