I’m a fraud.
I turn, and there’s Graham.
Crap.
Did he overhear?
His jaw clenches like emotion hurts him.
He probably hates me. He’s clearly protective of his mom.
This isn’t a normal family. It’s not like I blackmailed one of the spoiled rich guys who my brother hangs with. Graham’s family has real problems. He’s also been through a lot, and he deserves a girlfriend who’s pretty and fun and totally dedicated to him.
And that’s not me.
Because, let’s be honest, he was right from day one: if we’d just met on the street, he never would have given me the time of day. He made a mistake bringing me into this.
“Dani,” Graham breathes.
“What if we just forget about the kidnapping—call it even.” I’m crushed. “And just walk away from each other.” My voice cracks.
It’s late, is all. I’m tired. I’m not sad. Not about this. Not about him.
“No.” Graham shakes his head. “Don’t walk away.”
“I have—what? A month until my brother gets married? Then what?”
Then, just like that, it all turns into dust.
Because Graham is kissing me.
Kissing me like we’re at the ending of the movie and I finally got my guy and we’re finally in love and I’m finally going to live happily ever after.
I wrap my arms around his neck. Try not to drop the walkie-talkie. Grab at his hair as his tongue slides into my mouth.
I want to climb him like a tree, but we’re at a fancy party I planned, and also I’msonot coordinated.
But Graham is kissing me, and none of that matters. It’s my first real kiss, and it’s amazing.
He breaks the kiss, but his mouth is still close to mine. Our noses touch, and I cup his jaw—slightly rough because he hasn’t shaved since this morning.
“Is that how it always is?” I breathe against his mouth.
“What?” He kisses me again, gentler this time.
“Kissing a guy? Or is it just you?”
He groans. “Dani, please don’t tell me this is your first kiss.”
“It wasn’t.” I stare up at him.
“Dani—”
I love you!I want to yell in his ear.
He presses light kisses all over my cheeks, my mouth, my nose.
“I met you in a bookshop,” he says.
