You feel like mine.
Those words hit my heart like lightning, singing through my veins.
He places a finger under my chin and tips it up gently. “Did you say you can’t stop thinking about me?” When I press my lips together and nod, the intensity of his smile steals my breath. “It’s okay. I’m patient. I can wait until you’re ready.”
***
Oaks Folks
Mom:Wanted to let you all know that I put together an Amazon wish list for my birthday coming up. Here’s the link.
Tess:You think we need a wish list?
Mom:Just want to make sure you have some gift ideas.
Tess:I can’t afford to get you this $300 dog DNA test.
Fabes:And I refuse to get you a shirt that says, “I’m not like a regular mom. I’m a cool mom.” Have you even seen Mean Girls?
Mom:Is that a movie? I just liked the shirt.
Tess:
Millie:I call the mug that says, “My favorite child got me this.”
Tess:Too bad, I already ordered it.
Dad:This will go down in history as your mother’s most beloved day: when her daughters battled to be the favorite.
***
“How did the cookies turn out last night, Mills?” Lena asks, dipping a chip in our guacamole and popping it into her mouth.
Lena didn’tactuallyhave plans to come to Nacho Mama’s, but Micah and I pulled her and Emil along with us for a double date.
“Good.” I take a sip of my sparkling water and squirm in my bright orange chair.
I’ve been bursting to tell them every detail of what happened last night.
Probably best if I just rip the Band-Aid off.
As the soft Latin guitar music ends, I just say it. A little too loudly. “Finn licked cookie dough off my finger.”
Heat spreads over every inch of my skin as everyone in the cantina turns my way. Lena chokes into her elbow. Micah spews margarita out of his mouth, hitting the appetizer plate in front of him. And Emil’s glass clatters to the table, barely keeping its balance.
The next song comes on, a little livelier, and Lena regains the ability to speak first, her eyes wide. “I’m sorry. Finn? Licked? Your finger?”
“Yeah, those were the main parts of that sentence.” Micah nods as he brings a napkin to his lips.
Emil waves his hands in front of his face. “Start at the beginning.”
I tell them about the mixer—which I left at his house for now because I couldn’t wrap my head around taking home such an expensive gift—how nice it felt to have Ave and El next to me making cookies, and every vivid detail of Finn’s warm mouth around my finger. I also admit to hyperventilating afterward.
Lena fans herself with her hand. “Wow. For once, I’m speechless. Does he still think you’re on a date right now?”
My shoulders slump. “I told him the truth.” I dig my teeth into my bottom lip before adding, “And then he asked me to go on a date with him.”
Micah smacks his hand over his chest and coughs, “The hits keep coming.”
