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Great.

Next, I’ll be pissing a circle around her and thumping my chest.

She raises her eyes. Her cheeks are pink. I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. I should say something, apologize for attacking her mouth the way I did.

“Sorry, I got carried away.”

“I was there too. You didn’t do it alone. I was a willing participant. No need to apologize. Unless you want me to say sorry too.”

“Hell no!”

She bursts out laughing and it’s beautiful.

“I’m not really sorry. Not at all. As far as first-date kisses go, this one was a perfect first-date kiss.”

She smiles.

“Just a perfectfirst-datekiss? And here I thought it was the perfect kiss, period.”

That caveman in my chest? He’s flexing his muscles now.

“I might have to try it again just to be sure.”

Her eyes fall to my lips, and I’m about to kiss her again, but there are too many people around us now, so I kiss her forehead instead, my lips lingering on her skin for a few moments.

My eyes closed so I can feel her better.

Chapter Thirteen

We went backto the park, and I beat him twice more in the Go Karts. We talked and held hands and stole kisses on the Ferris wheel.

We’re driving back now. He glances at me every so often, and neither of us feels the need to fill the silence with words. The bright day is giving way to evening as the sky changes colors from blue to pink, purple, yellow, and orange, blending in with the fall colors on the horizon until it looks like an impossible painting on a day made up of impossibles. It still feels surreal. I kissed him. I can’t believe I just up and kissed him.

I don’t know what got into me. He’d been so perfect the entire day, so sweet and funny and attentive. I’ve never had a guy be so into me before. I’ve never wanted to kiss someone so badly. I can’t believe I kissed him first, and the way he kissed me back! If I were a cartoon character, my feet would be floating off the ground and there would be hearts jumping out of my eyes. I bite my lip to keep from smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

Then that old voice I know all too well starts chipping away at my joy.

Of course he had to kiss you back. What choice did he have?

Shut up.

This isn’t going to last. A guy like him? He can have anyone. Why would he want you?

Shut up, shut up.

As soon as he gets into your pants, he’ll drop you, and now he knows you’re easy too.

I don’t respond to the last accusation in my head. Experience tells me it’s right.

“Hey?”

He grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together and kissing the back.

“Everything okay?”

I smile, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes.

“Yes, I’m fine.”