“Fine,” I said finally. “Let’s get this over with.”
I was definitely not looking forward to seeing what a second kiss with Tino would be like. No way.
“No big deal, right?” Tino said softly as he took a step toward me. My heartbeat went up a notch. The kiss in the hallway didn’t have this level of anticipation with it. He’d leaned in and kissed me so quickly that I’d barely had the time to react before itwas happening. I certainly hadn’t had time to think about our audience.
“No big deal,” I repeated, mostly to myself.
We stepped a little closer, the group suddenly going quiet in that way that made it even more awkward. My heart was pounding in my ears. The air between us felt heavier than it should. His hands hovered awkwardly for a second, like he wasn’t sure if he should touch me or not. I gave a tiny nod, and he placed one hand lightly at my waist—warm, careful.
And then he leaned in.
He moved slower than he had this morning, slow enough that I felt every inch of distance disappear between us. His breath touched my cheek before his lips did, warm against the chill of the evening air. My pulse stuttered.
When his lips finally met mine, it wasn’t a quick, nervous brush. It was still gentle, still hesitant, but deeper now—his lips moving against mine like he wasn’t sure how long he’d get to stay there.
I forgot about the cold. Forgot about our audience. Forgot that this was supposed to be fake.
All I could think about was how soft it was. How steady. How his hand at my waist tightened just slightly, like he couldn’t quite help it, and how I didn’t want to move away, because it was all so much better than it had any right to be.
When he pulled back, his eyes met mine, searching. For what, I didn’t know.
“See?” he said softly, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Totally painless.”
“Yeah,” I said, though my voice came out quieter than I meant. “Totally.”
Mako wolf-whistled. Crossy whooped. Poppy squealed.
“Okay, okay, show’s over,” I said quickly, trying to sound normal again even though my heart was still thudding. I stolethe basket from Poppy’s hands and took it to the counter, keeping my head down as I felt my cheeks flame red. The student working the cash was a senior boy who looked between Tino and me curiously, but he thankfully didn’t say anything. I almost ran out of there the moment I could, remembering too late about the girls who had been watching us outside and who were staring at me with wide eyes. I forced a smile that must have looked incredibly pained and immediately turned the other way, even though it was the longer route to the dorms.
“Should I be insulted?” Tino asked as he caught up to me. I was walking fast, my boots thudding loudly against the pavement with every step, but he kept up with me easily. I didn’t look at him.
“Insulted?”
“That you ran away so quickly after our kiss,” he said. “I mean, I have to assume it had something to do with my skill level because?—”
“Your skill level is just fine,” I said, then squeezed my eyes shut as I realized how he was going to take that. Sure enough, when I looked at him, he had a cocky grin on his face.
“Oh, so that’s why you look so dazed.”
“I do not look dazed,” I huffed.
“Hey, it’s okay to admit it,” he said jovially. “You did just say I’m a good kisser so?—”
“I said you were fine!” I snapped. “Not good,fine.”
“Trouble in paradise already?” Crossy called from behind us. When I glanced back, he and Saylor were walking together with his arm around her. I hoped Tino didn’t get too many ideas.
“Not at all!” Tino called back. “In fact, Lilah was just telling me how great of a kisser I am and how she wishes we’d gotten together sooner.”
I stepped on his foot. He yelped, hopping on one foot, and I pretended not to smile.
Crossy and Saylor’s laughter echoed down the walkway, and Tino grinned at me as if he’d won something by causing it. I rolled my eyes, but bumped my shoulder into his as we walked.
“C’mon,” Tino said suddenly. He stepped and crouched slightly. “Hop on.”
“What?” I asked incredulously.
“Piggyback ride. You look like you’re about to collapse.”
