Page 19 of Heat Advisory

“All animals need attention,” I told him. Working on the O’Haras’ farm had taught me that. Even animals you didn’t think required a lot of work often still wanted attention, or they would get into trouble.

“I know. I just want something that I can go a few days without feeding it or walking it and still have it be fine.”

“I believe you are referring to a plant,” I deadpanned, and he chuckled. “Maybe a cactus would be better for you to start with.”

“Alright, funny girl, I get your point.”

It was the summer after our junior year, and Morgan and I had filled our night with a pop music marathon, face masks we were convinced would keep us looking young forever, and a pile of junk food. We had tried to do each other’s makeup, but we’d ended up looking like clowns who’d lost a fight with a glitter bomb. Finally, Morgan declared she was too “emotionally exhausted,” and we passed out on her bed.

Sometime after one a.m., I woke up to a dry mouth and a full bladder. I shuffled to the bathroom quickly and then made my way downstairs to the Rainers’ kitchen, hoping to get a glass of water.

The house was silent except for the hum of the fridge, but as I turned the corner, there he was—Jay.

He was leaning against the counter, shirtless, wearing only gray sweatpants, and his hair looked damp, like he had just taken a shower. He was holding a glass of water and looked up when I walked in. His eyes were sleepy and way too attractive for this hour.

“Hey,” he said, his voice rough. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No. I couldn’t sleep,” I lied as I stared at his sexy frame before me.

I wasn’t about to tell him I had to pee—how embarrassing.

I was so into Jay, it was scary. I may or may not have written my name as Mrs. Cora Rainer in my diary a few times. A few dozen times. But he didn’t need to know that.

“I uh, just needed a cup of you…I mean…a cup of water.”

I had talked with Jay a lot over the last year, but apparently now my brain was incapable of coherent thoughts around him.

He smiled and nodded, but he kept staring at me for a moment before finally pushing off the counter to grab a glass for me. Instead of handing it to me right away, he filled it and then turned back to me. His fingers brushed over mine as he handed me the glass, igniting a tiny spark that lit up my whole arm.

We both stood there for a second, just looking at each other. No words, just the quiet hum of the house and the knowledge that we were both awake when everyone else was asleep. Alone and very aware of how close we were.

“You’re not still in a tizzy about Morgan and me borrowing your sound system for our impromptu karaoke session, are you?” I asked, since he was staring so hard at me, now without a smile.

He shook his head. “No, but I am in a tizzy about something else.”

He took one small step closer to me, and I licked my lips, thinking of what it would feel like to have him kiss me.

“Wha…” I cleared the frog in my throat. “What, um, are you in a tizzy about?”

“Trying to decide if I should kiss you,” he said quietly, his dark gaze never leaving mine.

My breath caught in my chest, and I did a double take.

Did I hear him correctly? Did he just say he wanted to kiss me?

I wanted to pinch my arm to see if this was real or a dream, but that would be super awkward if this was real.

Play it cool.

“Ummm…sure, I guess.”

Oh my God. I was an idiot.

I guess? Who says that?

He smirked and then leaned over and kissed me. It was gentle at first, even sweet, but that quickly turned into a savage meeting between our mouths.

My back was up against the counter as my hands moved of their own free will to his chest. He moved his hands to my hips and then under my shirt. His hands were warm. I don’t know who ended up doing it first, but we pulled each other impossibly closer as my fingers tangled in his hair.