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We paused, leaning against the railing and looking out at the bay and the wind-whipped waves. Various sea birds floated on top of the waves, bobbing like toys in a bathtub.

“You know, you can talk to me,” I said, bumping my shoulder against Delaney’s as she stared off into the distance.

“Can I?” she asked, turning and facing me.

“Of course.”

She studied me for what felt like hours. As if she was looking for something. I wanted her to find it more than anything else.

“Your ice cream is melting,” I said as it dripped down her arm. She didn’t seem to have noticed.

I watched as she lifted her arm and licked it clean. I had to close my eyes and do my best not to think lewd thoughts about her tongue. The same tongue that had almost been in my mouth.

She had almost put her tongue in my mouth.

Was I allowed to read into that? Because I really, desperately wanted to read into it.

Delaney and I finished our ice cream and kept walking around, walking into random shops and strolling around. She appeared completely lost in thought, even when I tried to draw her into conversation. Eventually I gave up.

We decided to have lunch at a local tapas place that was expensive but delicious.

Things were off between us, but nothing I did seemed to make a difference. I guess I’d just have to wait it out.

Delaney asked our server to split the check and I didn’t know what that meant either.

Between last night and today, I was just a giant ball of confusion, but so was Delaney. So many things sat unsaid between us. Guess we were going to ignore them and hope they went away.

Once we finished lunch, I expected Delaney to tell me that she was going home, but she walked back to my apartment and up the stairs behind me. I shut the door and faced her.

“Can we have a conversation?” I asked. Had I given her enough time?

Delaney let out a loud breath and flopped on the couch. “I guess.” She didn’t sound happy.

I sat down beside her, making sure there was a little distance between us.

“What happened earlier? With the kiss?” Oh no, I was saying the “k” word.

Delaney flinched at the mention of the kiss.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled, picking at her nails.

“Delaney,” I said, my voice firm. “What was that?”

“I don’t know!” She surged to her feet and paced to the window, staring out for a second and then whirling to face me.

“I don’t fucking know, James! All I know is… I think I want to try it again.” Her face was so red, she could have been confused for a stop sign.

Hold on. I needed to hear her say that again so I could confirm I wasn’t imagining things.

“Repeat that last part,” I said, my hands shaking as I braced them on the couch. If she gave me the word, I was going to her. If she wanted me to kiss her, then I was going to fucking kiss her.

She bit her lip. “I want to try kissing you again.”

Our eyes met and then I was off the couch and striding toward her as fast as my legs would carry me.

“Right now?” I asked, stopping right in front of her. I needed to make sure. I had to be sure this was what she wanted. She had to take the lead.

“Yes,” she said, and I swore I could feel her trembling.