When the kiss ends, he keeps his gaze focused on mine before reaching up to cup my cheek. My breath quickens, hisexpression so soft and tender. No one’s ever looked at me like this before—and I close my eyes as he presses his forehead to mine for a moment.
The rest of the movie is a blur, and as he takes my hand again and leads me out of the theatre, warmth blossoms in my chest. This isn’t a prank.
This is real.
Watching the credits roll at the end, I snuggle up to his side, and he plants a soft kiss in my hair before he holds my hand all the way out to the street.
“That was awesome. I’ve been wanting to see that for a while,” he says.
I grin. “I loved it.”
“Although …” He comes to a stop in front of his car and turns toward me. “I was distracted for quite a lot of it.”
I laugh as he slides his arms around my waist. “Me too.”
Patrick kisses me softly. “Let’s get you home.”
He lingers before letting me go and walks to the other side of the car to open my door.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You’re welcome.”
I climb in and buckle up my seatbelt as he gets in the driver’s side.
My chest is bursting with happiness—he really does like me.
He’s being all gentlemanly, but I’m not ready for this night to end.
“At least now we’re on holiday, we can see each other every day,” he says as he starts the car.
“I’d like that.”
He drives me home and all the while, the way he kissedme plays over and over again in my brain. I always wanted him to be the one, but I never thought I stood a chance.
Now what happens?
The possibilities make me giddy.
When he pulls his car into my driveway, I already feel lost. It’s insane. We went without each other for years, but it’s the way it was when we were kids—wanting to spend all our time together.
He opens my car door and walks with me to the door.
“Thank you for tonight. It was great.”
“It was.” My cheeks flush.
“See you tomorrow?”
“I hope so.”
He lowers his head and kisses me again. “Goodnight, Cassie.”
“Goodnight,” I whisper.
Patrick waits in his car until I’m inside—despite living right across the road.
I close the door behind me, hope building in my chest.
