“Darn.” He chuckles. “I was really hoping we might make this a full-blown day of fried chicken.”
“And making out,” I add. “You know, for the holiday celebration.”
“Most definitely.”
We both laugh as the evening continues, dinner and wine being served in a way that’s personal, making the evening that much more incredible. By the time we finish our cheesecake, the sun starts to set over the horizon, and Weston quietly pays the tab.
And that’s when rain drops start to fall.
He glances up at the sky, and then over at me. “Looks like we might catch a rain shower.”
“I’ll melt,” I say jokingly.
“Me too,” he says, grinning. He stands to his feet and takes my hand. “Let’s go then. I don’t want you to turn into a puddle. That might make Parker angry.”
I laugh as more rain drops start to fall from the sky, and we break into a jog, Weston tugging me forward. The rain keeps coming down harder as we get closer to the car, and by the time we’re just a few feet away, it’s pouring.
“Wait!” Weston shouts over the noise of the thunder above us. “It’s International Kissing Day!”
I let out a squeal as he slips his arm around my waist and spins my body in a swift, smooth movement. My backside hits the car gently, and before I can even process what’s happening, Weston’s mouth is on mine.
We’re pulling a fullNotebookmoment as his tongue slips between my parted lips. Rain droplets streak down my face, slipping between our lips and tinging our kiss with the taste of fresh rain. He grips the back of my neck, holding me to him, his body pressing into mine. A light moan escapes from my throat as he explores every inch of my mouth. It’s possessive, but also sweet, drenched in passion and warmth.
We’re soaked by the time we pull apart, and as I peer up at Weston, I take in his sharp jawline, and the way he’s looking right into me. Like heseesme—all of me—and my heart skips a beat.
“Thank you for this amazing date,” I tell him, my voice barely audible above the rain hitting the top of the car.
His fingers brush away the raindrops littering my cheeks, and his expression softens. “You’re beautiful, Brittany. Thank you for giving me a chance.”
I stand on my tiptoes and press another short kiss against his lips. “It was the best date I’ve ever had. Do you think we could do this again?”
He tilts his head. “Well … Actually … I don’t know. I only feel comfortable moving forward under one condition.”
I narrow my eyes at him, unsure of where this is going. “Okay, what’s your condition?”
“That you’ll be my girlfriend, and that we can celebrate International Kissing Dayeveryday.”
“Hmm…” I purse my lips together as the rain lightens to just sprinkles. “First off, that’stwoconditions. So, there’s that. Secondly…” I press another kiss to his cheek, and then lean intohis ear. “Yes,I’ll be your girlfriend. Andyes,we can celebrate International Kissing Dayeveryday.”
“Good. I’ll hold you to that,” he teases, pressing his lips to mine once more. “And I promise, Brittany, I’ll never let you go.”
I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him as a burst of relief floods my chest. For the first time in my life, I believe it.
And I thinkthisis what the beginning of forever feels like.
Epilogue
Weston
Eight Months Later
“I don’t know if it’ll actually be here on time,” I say in a low voice to Parker. “What if USPS messes it up, and it gets here late … like tomorrow?”
“You’re really concerned about these fake holidays.” Parker snorts, shaking his head as he eyes Brittany and Amy, who are chatting with their friend, Eliza. I don’t really know her, but, apparently, she’s Amy’s friend from home—the one who fell through a ramp and found love with a firefighter. “You knowshe’s going to sayyes,” Parker continues, sipping on his drink. “You’re worried about nothing … and you could justaskher.”
“Yeah, but that’s not sentimental.” I roll my eyes, brushing him off. “This is how I want it to go…” My voice trails off as the doorbell of my apartment rings. Brittany looks over at the door and then to me, giving me a funny look.
“I thought everyone was here? We just got the pizza?”
