“Yeah.” I step back, running a hand through my hair. “We should probably get back. Before Jake sends out a search party.”
She nods, but neither of us moves for a second. Just standing there in the moonlight, the festival noise drifting down to us, both of us knowing something just changed, and neither of us sure what to do about it.
Finally, she turns and heads back up the path.
I follow, watching her walk ahead of me, and wondering what the hell I just started.
Chapter six
Chapter 6
Rachel
The walk back to the festival is quiet.
Not uncomfortable, quiet. More like the kind where you’re both thinking so loud you can't speak. Theo’s hands are shoved in his pockets, and I’m very focused on not tripping over tree roots because that would be the perfect cap to tonight—face-plant after kissing my brother’s best friend by the lake like a teenager.
The festival lights come into view through the trees. Music and laughter and the smell of fried everything. Normal. Safe. The opposite of whatever just happened down by the water.
“Rachel—” Theo starts.
“We should find Jake,” I interrupt. “Before Tommy eats his weight in funnel cake and refuses to sleep until Tuesday.”
He nods. Doesn’t push. Which I appreciate, because I have no idea what I’d say if he asked what this was, what it means, or any of the questions currently screaming in my own head.
We find Jake and Tommy near the prize booth. Tommy’s clutching a stuffed dinosaur that’s nearly as big as he is, face sticky with sugar.
“Mama! Look what Uncle Jake won me.” He waves the dinosaur like it’s a trophy. “His name is Rex and he’s going to sleep in my bed forever.”
“Forever’s a long commitment for a dinosaur.” I ruffle his hair, grateful for the distraction. “Did you say thank you?”
“Thank you, Uncle Jake!” Tommy launches himself at Jake’s legs.
Jake catches him easily, grinning. “No problem, buddy. Now let’s get you home before you crash harder than that time you drank three juice boxes.”
“I wasn’t tired! I was resting my eyes.”
“Sure, you were.”
I glance at Theo. He’s watching me with this look I can’t quite read. Not regret, exactly. More like he’s trying to memorize my face or figure out a puzzle he just discovered.
“I should get him home,” I say, gesturing at Tommy. “Thanks for coming tonight. He had a great time.”
“Yeah. Me too.” Theo’s voice is soft. “See you around, Rachel.”
The way he says my name makes my stomach flip.
Jake doesn’t notice. Too busy wrangling Tommy and the giant dinosaur into the truck. I climb in after them, and we drive home with Tommy chattering nonstop about everything he did tonight until his words start slurring together and he passes out mid-sentence.
I carry him inside and tuck him into bed with Rex the dinosaur. He doesn’t even stir.
In my own room, I lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling.
I kissed Theo Park tonight.
I also kissed Cole Archer three days ago.
Two men. Two kisses. Both of them are Jake’s best friends, and completely off-limits.
