He laughs. “We’re spoiling him.”
“We are. Thanks for today.” I hug him. Not a bro hug but a proper hug.
“I had fun. We should hang out more often.” He can’t hug me back because his hands are full of bags, whereas I’m only carrying one. How did that happen?
“I’d like that.”
He purses his lips. “As friends?”
The way he says it suggests that’s not all he wants. My heart patters.
“I fancy you. You know that, don’t you?”
“It’s the Speedos, isn’t it?” I ask, injecting lightness and humour into my voice.
He puts the bags on the ground around his feet. “Partly. Tuesday, when we have our check-in, will you consider being a triad? I want to date you and Emory.”
I bite my lip. “It’s a bit soon, isn’t it? We’re only figuring this dynamic out.”
He steps closer. “Emory and I want more than a vee.”
I look away. “I know.” My voice is a rough whisper.
“Can you see yourself wanting more?”
I shrug and nod at the same time.
Auggie laughs. “I’m not sure that answer helps.”
I turn my face and meet his stare. “Yes. I think so. I’m still kinda confused, though.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be pressuring you.”
“You’re not. You’re telling me how you feel. That’s not the same thing at all.”
He smiles as relief flits through his eyes. “I want to kiss you.”
I swallow.
He puts his hands on my hips. “Can I?” His dark blue gaze bores into mine, making it hard to breathe.
The butterflies are back, as crazy as when Em cups my cheek or grazes his fingers over my skin. A kiss will probably add to my confusion, but knowing that doesn’t stop me from wanting it.
“Yes.”
Auggie leans forward and presses his mouth to mine. He applies more pressure than I was expecting, but it’s nice. Lovely, even. My lips tingle. I put my hand on his waist, partly for contact but also to steady myself. His tongue brushes over my lips. I pull back, rubbing my neck.
“Sorry,” Auggie says.
I gesture to his mouth. “I’ve never—It’s fine.”
How do I feel about the concept of French kissing? The kisses I’ve shared with Em have all been of the closed-mouth variety. Even when he got carried away in bed on Thursday night, he didn’t use his tongue. A busy bus station probably isn’t the right place to find out whether it’s something I like or not. Would kissing like that help me feel closer to Em and Auggie? Would it make me feel more like Em’s boyfriend? I suck in a breath and close my eyes. That’s not the right way to think.
Auggie rubs my arm. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Just having a minor freak-out about kissing with tongues. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologise. I shouldn’t have tried to kiss you like that without warning. It was my mistake. I’m the one who should be sorry.”
