Not exactly a lie, but not exactly the truth: I know what I’m doing, even though I also know I should walk out the door to this shed and take my mother’s glasses straight to her.
This is the worst idea ever.
I like Maddie Miller.
I’vealwaysliked Maddie Miller, and now she’s finally speaking to me!
Do not kiss Harper Conrad again, dude.
Do not ruin your chances with Maddie!
Too bad I never fucking listen—not even to myself.
I reach out and gently brush a stray strand of Harper’s hair from her face.
The moment my fingers graze her cheek, a shiver runs through me, and I swear I see it ripple through her, too.
I should step back. I should turn this into a joke or do something to defuse the tension.
But I can’t.
Something about her right now standing in this soft light makes her look so damn pretty. The sun. My mom’s chandelier above us.
All the pink.
JUST GO FOR IT.
Look at her. Look at the way she’s staring up at you.
That mouth.
Those lips.
They taste so fucking good.
The gap between us closes; our breath is mingling. There’s a split second when I hesitate, giving us both one last chance to pull back and walk away. It comes and goes in an instant…
“Easton,” she murmurs, and it’s not exactly a warning. In fact, the way she says my name makes my pulse spike. Adrenaline high.
A rush.
“Yeah?” My voice sounds hoarse—more a growl than anything as my fingers linger on her cheek, thumb tracing the soft curve of her jawline. How am I just now noticing how cute she is? The freckles on her nose?
The flecks of red in her silky hair?
She’s leaning into my touch now and it’s driving me insane.
“Are we…?” Whatever words she’s about to say die on her lips, replaced by a shaky exhale. “Is this…?”
I don’t know what she’s asking, so I can’t respond, instead closing the distance between us, resting my forehead against hers.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
“Harper, tell me to stop,” I whisper, my voice low, barely controlled. “If you don’t want to kiss me again, tell me and I’ll stop.”
She shakes her head the tiniest bit.
