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There was a sense of longing in his eyes as he continued. “I’m not going to do that again though. I’m not going to pretend I don’t like you when you’re the only girl I’ve ever wanted.”

My heart fluttered in response, but I tried to ignore the feeling as I focused on his words. I took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled as I stared at Aiden. A million thoughts were racing through my mind, but in the end, only one thing really mattered: he wanted me.

“You know you drive me crazy, right?”

His smile was nervous as he nodded in reply. He looked so unsure but also hopeful. And, as I stared at him, I realized I was hopeful too.

A warm feeling had ignited in my chest, and my skin prickled with electricity as I stared into his eyes. It was a feeling I’d felt so many times whenever Aiden was close. I’d always assumed it was because I found him irritating, but I realized now that I was wrong. This beautiful boy before me annoyed the crap out of me, but I loved every second of it, and I couldn’t deny it anymore.

“I’m probably going to regret this,” I murmured before I closed the distance between us and kissed him. Aiden didn’t hesitate to kiss me back, and all the tension I’d been feeling seemed to release as we connected.

My mind went blank as the feelings coursing through my body shot into overdrive. My heart was racing like I’d been running for miles, and my whole body tingled like every cell within me was fighting to get closer to him. The kiss was powerful and explosive. It was the kind of kiss that was going to leave my body in shock if it ever ended.

I was breathless when Aiden finally pulled away, and it felt like I’d forgotten how to think. My mind was clouded with desire, but I didn’t need much brainpower to know kissing Aiden was the right decision. He leaned his forehead against mine and slowly started to smile. Aiden’s smile was like looking at the starlit night overhead. A sight so beautiful it was nearly impossible to tear your eyes away.

I couldn’t understand how I hadn’t seen it before. How I hadn’t noticed the kindness in his eyes or how his beauty was more than skin-deep. The things I felt for him had come out of nowhere, surprising me when I least expected it.

Now that I knew they were there though, I didn’t think I could lock them back up again. They rushed through me like spikes of adrenaline flooding my system. I liked Aiden Moore. It was something I’d never imagined was possible, but now that I knew the truth, I couldn’t believe I’d never realized it before.

“So, you aren’t immune to my flirting,” he said.

I let out a breathy laugh. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“And you like how I get under your skin.”

“It’s more like a rash I can’t seem to get rid of.”

“You like me.”

I almost felt a natural reflex to deny it, but I couldn’t say the words. Not anymore. “Yeah, Aiden, I think I do.”

His smile widened, and his eyes glittered. “Then I think I’d like to kiss you again.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?”

He chuckled as he moved to brush his lips against mine once more. The first kiss from Aiden had stripped my feelings bare. But the second one was my complete undoing. I didn’t just think I liked him anymore. I knew it. And there was no going back.

20

Clary

The moment I opened my eyes in the morning, I smiled. Even in a groggy state of half-sleep, my thoughts went straight to Aiden and what had happened between us last night. It felt like it was a dream.

I knew it had happened for real though, because I couldn’t have dreamed up a kiss like that. It was magical, like a perfect little pocket of time had been carved out just for us, and in that moment, everything had fallen into place.

It was strange to think I ever could have disliked him. That I could have so easily ignored his flirting and been so immune to his good looks. I certainly didn’t feel that way now. I was just like every other girl at school, and I had fallen for Aiden hard.

The thought made me sit up in bed, and a flutter of anxiety greeted me as I woke up a little more. This wasn’t just any guy I’d kissed. This was Aiden Moore. Every girl who had ever fallen for his charms had been convinced he liked them back just as much, and it always ended badly for them. Only the other week I’d seen Shelly’s heart get shattered on Aiden’s front driveway. Was I just another Shelly? Was I foolish to believe he wanted me too?

He wasn’t known as the biggest flirt in town for no reason. Aiden was a player; what if I was just his latest conquest?

I shook my head to displace the thought, but it had lodged itself firmly in my mind and didn’t want to budge. Aiden seemed to like me, but who knew how he’d feel today or tomorrow. He said he’d been chasing me for years, but things might change now he’d caught me and all the excitement was gone.

A pool of dread curdled in my stomach. Last night had been perfect, but what would happen next? The thought was enough to make me want to lock myself in my room all day. I wasn’t sure if I could face Aiden and be rejected. I couldn’t exactly hide in my room for the rest of the pandemic though.

No, I was going to have to face him. Odds were that last night was a one-time thing. He’d gotten me out of his system, and now he’d want to move on. I needed to accept that even though a small part of me withered inside at the thought.

At some point, Aiden had weaseled his way into my heart. It had happened gradually and without me realizing it. I wished he’d come with a warning label so I could have protected my heart more effectively.