She huffs and turns to me, taking the flask and drinking.
I pull out another one of those cookies.
She eyes it and passes the flask back to me. I casually put the cookie in her hand and lean into her.
“Do you know what someone really wise told me about the future?”
“No, what?”
“This person said that the future isn’t decided yet; if you want something, you should fight for it.”
Her eyes widen. “Dad.”
“Yeah.”
“When did he say that to you?”
“The day I was waiting for my parents to come pick me up after leaving you.”
“Eli-”
I cup her cheek and lean down, kissing her softly. She responds to me instantly, shifting closer, one hand rising to rest on my chest.
I pull back. “I have been wanting to do that for years. It was better than I imagined.”
She blushes.
“Shall we go and finish this game so we can head home? I want to kidnap you tonight, if I can.”
She draws herself up and looks me in the eye.
“I’d really like that.”
I love that she sounds like she means it.
Chapter 11
Sofia
We don’t win, but I don’t think any of us were trying; we were simply enjoying the day together. Which was surprising because I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable with all of them. By the time we wander back, the rest of the matched pairs are gone, and my mum just watches from where she’s sitting at the café with a small smirk on her face.
I wave at her.
She smiles and salutes me with her coffee.
We head back to the house, where I collapse on the porch, watching the birds darting around eating the bugs in the late afternoon light.
Devon crouches in front of me and puts his hands on my knees. “I’m glad you had fun, and I look forward to the-”
The door to the house slams open, banging hard against the porch swing. Sebastian stomps out and glares.
I tilt my head back to watch him.
“By the way, this is not happening,” he snarls, giving me a dirty look. “Where is it, Sofia?”
“Where is what?” I ask in annoyance.
“Where’s the letter? The one on my desk. I want it back.”
