He doesn’t finish.
He doesn’t have to.
“I’ll always be here,” I say, and I mean it with everything I have. “For as long as you need me.”
“I’ll always need you.” His arm tightens around me. “What were you reading when I came? You were whispering something.”
“I’ll follow thee and make a heaven out of hell, to die upon the hand I love so well.”
He recognizes the line from the play. “Helena. She’s in love with Demetrius.”
“She’s a fool.”
“Is she?”
“She chases someone who doesn’t want her.”
“Maybe she can’t help herself. Maybe not hoping for his love would feel like death.”
I don’t know what to say to that. The air between us suddenly feels charged, like the moment before a storm.
I thread my fingers through his curls without seeing them. There’s a snarl of conflicting emotions in my chest. Everything’s becoming so complicated, and I don’t know what’s right anymore.
“I don’t know,” I hear myself say. “It’s so confusing. Everyone’s growing up so fast. All the girls at school are talking about…things. Kissing and—” I stop, my face flaming. “Never mind.”
“What about kissing?”
“Nothing. Forget it.”
“Mina.” His voice is soft. “What about kissing?”
I stare at my fingers thrust deep among his curls. “I wouldn’t know how even if I had anyone to kiss.”
I’m babbling. I clamp my mouth shut.
Cristiano opens his eyes.
“You could kiss me,” he finally says.
My heart stops.
“What?”
“Practice.” His voice is calm, like he’s suggesting we study together. “We could practice together. I haven’t kissed anyone either.”
“Don’t be silly.” The words come out breathless. My whole body feels hot. “We can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because we’re friends.”
“Friends help each other.” He sits up, his weight on his palms. Suddenly he’s right there, his face inches from mine. “Like you helped me just now. I trust you, and I hope you trust me. Wouldn’t you rather practice with someone you trust?”
I should say no. I should laugh and push him away. That’s what I always do when he says something provocative in that quiet, deep voice of his.
But I’m thinking about the girls at school, laughing hysterically at the thought of Cristiano wanting me. And he’s looking at me like he does.
Want me.
