Page 16 of The Death of Kisses

“Shut up,” I beamed, grabbing the basket.

“Careful there’s wine in there!”

A fit of laughter erupted from my chest, bubbling up uncontrollably as I yanked off my backpack and bolted down the hallway toward the back door.

“Fuck, Lilly, wait!” he called after me, hurriedly chasing behind.

I didn’t stop running until I burst through the curtain of branches, and when I finally paused, laughter spilled from me unabated, impossible to contain.

But as the evening critters stirred and the night settled in, my laughter faded into a tense silence. I held my breath, eyes scanning the darkening woods, waiting.

Lee should have been here by now.

A cold wave of dread crept over me, and the smile slipped from my face.

A gentle breeze stirred the willow branches above, carrying the distant hum of insects and a faint smoky scent that tugged at my senses. For a long moment, I just sat there—waiting. The basket sat untouched beside me, a silent witness to my nerves.

Anxiety wrapped around my chest as I pushed myself to my feet as I reached out toward the tangled branches I’d burst through earlier. My hand trembled as I pushed them aside—then, suddenly, a scream tore from my throat as Lee yanked my body toward him, both of us laughing uncontrollably.

“You should have seen your face,” he teased, chuckling as I smacked him across the chest.

“That wasn’t funny, Leeroy!” I shouted, my heart racing wildly beneath my ribs, pounding with a wild, frantic energy.

“It totally was,” he grinned, softly lifting my hand to his lips and kissing it gently.

My heart shuddered from fear—then shifted, pounding with a nervous, girlish thrill I hadn’t felt in ages.

“Come on. Let’s eat,” Lee said softly, pulling me through the canopy of branches and unveiling a picnic blanket from the basket.

He spread it out, then reached in to grab a bottle of wine. I burst into laughter as he leaned over to uncork it with his pocket knife—a simple act filled with so much warmth.

“I can’t believe you did all this for me,” I laughed, plucking a grape from the plastic cups.

“Well, it took months of planning, and honestly, it was so worth it, right?” he said, scratching the back of his head as he finally freed the cork from the bottle.

“Oh my God, is the mighty Lee Callahan nervous?” I teased, eyes sparkling as he passed me the bottle.

“Yeah,” he admitted, cheeks flushing pink with honesty.

“I think it’s wonderful—especially this wine,” I said softly, giggles bubbling up as the warmth of the drink washed over me, stirring a gentle joy deep within.

He smiled shyly, tentative but genuine.

“Well, I figured you deserve to be treated right if we’re doing this,” he murmured.

“Doing what?” I asked with playful innocence, feeling my heart swell with anticipation and a strange, tender hope.

“Us. I mean, I haven’t been known to date a girl, and certainly not my sister’s best friend – wait, I don’t think I said that right. Hold on a second,” he raised his finger mid-air, and just then, a loud burp escaped from his mouth.

“Gross,” I teased, but inside, I couldn’t help but laugh. That laugh bubbling up was uncontrollable, full of surprise and warmth.

“Okay, I can do this,” he told himself with determination.

“Lillian Wyatt, will you be my girlfriend?”

My eyes widened in pure wonder, a rush of warmth flooding through my chest. Without thinking, I nodded eagerly, set the bottle down, and launched myself into his arms, feeling more alive than I’d ever felt before.

My lips confidently pressed against his in a rush of pure, overwhelming joy, as I fiercely pulled him into my embrace, kissing him with a devotion so intense I lost myself entirely—until I couldn’t breathe, consumed by the electricity of our connection.