His eyes bear into mine, and my heart speeds.
“Why are you saying that? Are you saying I’m a bad kisser? Because-”
“Hey, relax, I’m not saying anything. Besides,” His smirk makes its star apparition. “You’re one hell of a kisser, Brown. But let’s not deviate from the question.”
I look at the ground and avoid cringing. This is it. This is the lowest I’ve ever been.
“Yes.” I mutter, kind of ashamed.
I glance at him, and he nods.
“I’m sorry. If I knew, I wouldn’t- Have exaggerated like I did.” He tried to put a great apology together. “I should have realized you weren’t comfortable. So, from now on, no more kissing. If someone questions our relationship, they will have to go through me.”
I nod, my throat squeezing at his sincerity.
“If we’re being honest, technically I did give you permission to do that, so it’s my fault really.” I look everywhere but at him.
“How about we agree that we should have communicated better?” He smiles, and even in the dark, I can make out his laugh lines so well. Too well.
“We really do suck at communicating, don’t we?” I find myself smiling, too.
For a few moments, we can only hear crickets and dogs barking in the distance. The sky is clear, and the air is refreshing for a summer night.
“I’m going to uh, stargaze.”
“Trouble sleeping?”
“Yeah, actually.”
Silent falls again, andwhy am I nervous?
Am I being rude if I don’t invite him to stay?
“I guess I should be going.”
“Yeah…”
He nods and brushes past me, but before I can change my mind, I stop him.
“Wait!” Pause. “I think you should stay here. For a little. Because ofMrs. Anderson.If she catches you in the street after the stunt you pulled…”
“Uh-huh, I see…” He turns around, bemused, and I roll my eyes.
“Don’t let it go to your head, I’m just being nice, enjoy it while it lasts.” I roll my eyes, and he smiles.
“Oh, babe, but I love you either way, whether you’re nice or angry with me.”
I leave him behind, already regretting this decision by the minute.
“Wait, I’m kidding!” He runs a little to catch up with me. “I just didn’t know you had goodness in your frozen heart- That’s it, final joke.” He closes his mouth, that ever-permanent smirk stapled on his mouth.
I sigh, and for a while, everything is peaceful.
I find a spot on the grass and lie down, and he does so too.
“Are you being nice to me because I did that thing with my tongue?” He looks like he’s about to burst out laughing.
I punch his arm, shocked he would joke about it.
