“I like that it’s about us,” Josh says quietly.
“It’s not about us,” I murmur. “It could be about anyone.”
“It’s about me and you, Mel.” Josh swallows. “Do you remember what I told you after Alex’s party?”
I meet his eyes and nod. “You told me you like me.” My voice is a whisper.
“Right. I do.” Josh takes my hands in his. “As more than a friend.”
“I like you too,” I murmur, my lips turning upward. “As more than a friend.”
Josh licks his lips, pushing his forehead into mine, his mouth hovering over my own. “Is it okay if I kiss you now?”
I nod and then his lips are on mine, soft and tentative. I open my mouth for him, and the kiss deepens, still tentative and uncertain but full of something that has been building in the background of our music for months. When we pull apart, neither of us speaks for a moment. The air between us is charged and delicate, like a note hanging in the space between chords.
“Do friends kiss like that?” I ask, smiling.
Josh leans in to kiss me again and just before his lips graze mine, he says, “No, I don’t think they do.”
My buzzing phone startles me out of the memory. I pick it up and it’s a text from a number I don’t yet have saved. It’s Josh. He’s going to be late tonight. He decided to stay and hang with the guys. At least he’s letting me know. I tell him I’ll leave a key under the mat in case I’m asleep. I have to force myself not to be disappointed.
I reach under the ottoman and find the notebook I caught Josh with, flipping open to our very first song. Then I grab my guitar, and everything comes rushing back. The notes are rooted in my soul.
Then
M – now that we’re kissing, does that mean I can kiss you whenever I want?
LOL! Within reason. NOT in front of Cara or anyone at school.
Good thing school is almost out then.
I just want to make sure she’ll be okay with it. Let’s just play it cool for now.
And sneak around like we already do?
Something like that.
8
JOSH
NOW
Ilook down at my phone for probably the fortieth time tonight. My friend Chris notices and scowls.
“You have some important music business stuff to attend to, or do you have time for your old pals?” He smirks, gesturing to my phone I’m glancing at under the table.
“Sorry.” I shake my head. “I texted Melanie our plans, but I haven’t heard back from her.”
“Melanie?” My old buddy Aaron’s eyebrows quirk up. Aaron and Chris were my two best friends in high school. They got out of Cape May for college, but they don’t live far outside of town these days. When I texted that I was back, they jumped at a chance to grab a bite and catch up. Now they’re throwing back a couple of beers over burgers, and I’m nursing my Coke. They were psyched to have a DD.
“Yeah, I’m crashing with her.” I shove my phone back in my pocket and force my attention on my friends.
“TheMelanie?” Chris confirms. “The one you were obsessed with?”
I flinch at his candor. “Obsessed is a strong word.”
“Dude, youlovedher,” Aaron reminds me. “Like epic crush.”
