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“So, he really thought I was talented?”

Liam smiled so brightly his whole face lit up. “Of course, he did.”

I started to laugh, giddy from the buzz of the play and the thought of getting to be in a movie with Liam. “This is really not how I thought my night was going to go.”

“Me neither.” Liam gave my hand a tight squeeze. “But I don’t think it gets much better than this.”

“You don’t?” I replied, a small smile lifting my lips. He seemed confused by my comment, but as I wrapped my arms around his neck and drew him close to me, he seemed to catch on.

“Maybe, there’s one thing…” he murmured. He closed the small distance between us, and as our lips touched, sparks ignited beneath my skin and my heart felt like it might explode. The kiss was raw and emotional and more powerful than all our other kisses combined. The one we’d shared onstage had been but a shadow in comparison, and I knew that I was completely, one hundred percent, falling in love with Liam Black.

People started whistling in the background, and Liam and I broke apart as we started to laugh. It was one thing to pretend to kiss onstage, but I wasn’t quite ready for making out in public.

“Get a room!” Evan called out to us, making me blush.

Liam chuckled and shook his head, refusing to break eye contact with me. “Maybe we should get out of here…”

I grinned as he took hold of my hand. “Just lead the way.”

I couldn’t stop smiling as we walked from backstage and out into the auditorium. A few people were still milling around after the performance, and I was surprised to hear someone shouting my name rather than the name of the Hollywood star who stood next to me.

“Teagan, Teagan?” I turned and found Zoe racing toward me. She had her phone stretched out in front of her, and as she neared, I could see the voice recording app was on. “How does it feel to be the star of Lincoln High’s annual production, the up-and-coming actress in Josh Winkler’s new movie, and to be dating Liam Black?”

I had no idea how she knew so much so soon, but I just laughed as Liam and I shared a knowing look. “I’m the star of the play? I thought we were supposed to be costars?” I said to him.

Liam chuckled with me. “I think you might have stolen the spotlight tonight. So, tell your adoring public…how does it feel?”

I grinned as I turned back to Zoe. “It feels pretty damn awesome.”

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