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There’s no way I’m going to let this moment end that easily.
Chapter 16
Lila
Angela’s voice is burning with curiosity as she drops into her seat and leans forward across our desks, nearly toppling a stack of papers. “Icannotbelieve you didn’t text me the whole fucking weekend! I need details! Now!”
Lifting my eyes from my screen, I can’t help but burst into laughter. She is staring at me with an expectant smirk on her face that says she knows everything and nothing at the same time.
I take a deep breath, the memory of Friday night flashing vividly in my mind. My skin tingles with the electricity of Marcus’s touch, the heat of the dance floor, and the intensity of that kiss.
It feels like it had been a dream, and I’m not sure I want to wake up.
“What do you mean?” I ask, unsure exactly how much Angela even knows.
Had she seen us?
“Oh, quit playing all innocent! I saw you and Marcus all cosied up at the bar! I came to find you when I was leaving but didn’t want to disturb you. Details! Now!” she demands.
A rush of heat spreads across my face as Angela’s words register in my head.
After waking up alone Saturday morning with nothing more than a pounding headache and a queasy stomach, I spent the day feeling sorry for myself, certain that I’ve ruined any hope of ever being able to speak to Marcus again. I spent all of Sunday coming up with plans of how to avoid him, including buying a jar of instant coffee so that I won’t be tempted to go to the coffee shop, planning that I would pretend to be on the phone if he ever comes down to our floor for anything, and deciding I would always take the stairs from now on.
“Well… we danced…” I begin, glancing around to make sure no one else can overhear. “And… we may have… kissed,” I whisper.
Angela’s eyes widen as she lets out a squeal so loud that I jump out of my seat to grab her hands, shushing her.
The office is starting to fill up and we fall back into our chairs in a fit of giggles as Carter walks in and flops down on his chair, shooting us a curious look.
“Oh, my,God!” Angela exclaims, trying but failing to keep her voice down.
A stubborn smile creeps across my face for the first time since Friday night as I remember the softness of Marcus’s lips.
“What’s going on?” Carter asks, one eyebrow raised in suspicion as he turns his computer on.
“She kissed him!” Angela says with another squeal, her volume slightly more controlled this time.
Carter’s face lights up as he turns to look at me. “What? Who? Marcus?!” Angela nods her head, her whole body shaking and her legs jiggling with excitement. My cheeks are burning bright red as I try to cover my face, but I can’t help the smile that has taken control of my mouth.
“About fucking time!” Carter holds his hand up for a high five across the desk, and I laugh begrudgingly as I reach over and slap his hand.
“And? Was it good? Oh my God, what am I saying? Of course it was good. Look how much you’re blushing!” Angela turns sharply to Carter. “Look how much she’s blushing!”
I drop my face down, laughing into my hands, but my smile refuses to budge.
“It was… intense,” I admit, regaining composure after a moment and looking back up. “But then, I don’t know… It’s complicated.”
“Wait! Did you go home with him?” Angela asks, her eyes nearly bulging out of her face as she bounces on the edge of her seat.
“No!” I respond, almost too quickly.
Not that I can remember, is the bit I choose to leave out.
To be honest, I can’t remember much from Friday night. I remember it pretty clearly up to the kiss, but after… I can’t remember how I got home, and I don’t remember if I might have done or said anything stupid to permanently ruin any chance I might have otherwise had with him.
In hindsight, perhaps skipping dinner and mixing multiple liquors was a bad idea.
“Thenwhat? Come on! Tell me everything!” Angela pleads.