I don’t see where this is going, and I’m not sure I want to.
“Are you crazy? I’m fine!”
Her mouth opens to a big, mocking smile. “I heard you were dating Jake West and thought you were sick.” She removes her hand from my head and continues. “I mean, when I first heardyouwere datinghim, I thought I was hallucinating!”
“Me too.” Jake responds, a traumatized look on his face.
I hit him on the arm and then turn to her.
“Stop exaggerating, Linda.”
“No, no, no. All those nights I babysat you two, and there was screaming and fighting and sometimes hitting, which led tothis. That’s a fucking good plot twist if I’ve ever seen one.”
“We’re here to sign up for the talent show at the fair.” I sigh.
“You know, punching each other and being mean doesn’t actually count as a talent?” Linda jokes, and I roll my eyes.
“We’re going tosing.”
“Right.” She comes back to reality. “Wait, you two sing? You can be together on the same stagewithout security?”
“Actually, yes.”
“Okay. This year’s talent show is going to be sent from hell, great!”
“Bye, Linda.”
“You and he can’t possibly be dating.” She says, more to herself.
For god’s sake…
“Kiss.”
“I’m sorry,what?!” Okay, maybe I was too loud because people are staring.
“If you think you’re ready, Linda, then alright. I think you should close your eyes now, ‘cause I’m about to kiss my woman and I was never much of a gentleman anyway…” He smirks devilishly at me, and I start panicking as he starts coming closer to my face. Holyshit, I’m not ready! And what am I supposed to do?! I’ve never kissed anyone! I don’t know how- Or what-
His lips touch mine, and soon enough, he’s keeping his reputation alive. Without me even knowing how, he grabs my waist and opens both our mouths, and his tongue slides in. I think I’m about to combust right here in the middle of the ice cream shop. This is actually not that bad… I’m not even doing-Oh wow, I did not know you could do that… I’m glad he’s holding me, because from the moment I closed my eyes, I think my knees went pathetically weak. His fingers bury themselves inmy hair, and I allow myself to do the same. Everything justfits.It’s like a slow dance, and we’re synchronized in a way I didn’t even know was possible. He breaks apart only to jump back in, but not without laying one soft, tantalizing kiss on my bottom lip.He really is that good…I don’t know where I am. All I know is that we couldn’t be any closer than we are, and somehow I want to find a way. Tomerge, to keep doing thisforever-
“Jesus, STOP!This is a family place!” Linda breaks us apart, mouth wide open in shock.
I’m left staring at the ground, seeing stars, and wondering if I’m going crazy.
This had to be a fever dream…
Linda hurries behind the counter and passes me a glass of water.
“Are you okay, Maddie? You seem like you’re about to faint.”
“Well, I know my job is well done when I can take away her breath like that.”
I don’t know why, but rage fills my body within seconds, and without thinking, I step on his foot, harshly.
He flinches and groans, and I take those few extra seconds to compose myself.
“Now that seems more like it…” Linda acknowledges that while I’m over here,freaking out.
Keep your goddamn shit together, Madelaine.
