Page 135 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

She opens her mouth like she wants to say something regarding our feelings for each other, but then shuts it. Right. We’re just living in the moment.

“So…how have you been?” I ask her.

The last time we spoke more than a few words to each other was in art class on Wednesday. She finished her portrait of me and it came out ten times better than mine. Mrs. Jackson said we could keep our paintings. Mine—the one Lexi painted of me—is hanging on the wall in my room.

Lexi smiles sadly. “I’ve been okay.”

Just okay? Did she miss me as much as I missed her?

“That’s good. I’ve been in my head a lot.”

She nods. “Same.”

“Watched any ocean life docus?”

“No. You?”

I shake my head. “It’s not the same watching them without you.”

She looks into my eyes. Her eyes are so pretty and full of life and warmth, they make my heart pound all over. Can she feel it? “Nothing is the same without you,” she says.

I rest my forehead on hers again. “Lexi,” I whisper.

Her fingers play with my hair, as if she’s deep in thought.

We continue dancing, not paying attention to the kids who are still watching us. The guys have stopped cheering and making kissing sounds. It feels like no one else is here except for the two of us.

My parents, aunt, uncle, cousins, and all the Musketeers have told me what it was like when they danced with their special people. They always claimed everyone else disappeared from around them. I totally get it. Lexi and I are in our own world.

Lexi’s head rests back on my chest, causing my heart to go wild. I seriously feel like it’ll explode out of my chest.

“Your chest is so comfortable,” she says. “I mean, is that weird for me to say that?”

I laugh softly. “Of course not. I love hearing your thoughts.” I lower my chin on her head and tighten my arms around her, not too tight because I don’t want to hurt her. “I’m glad my chest can be a pillow for you.”

A soft giggle seeps out of her. “Don’t blame me if I fall asleep on you. I didn’t sleep well because I was excited for the dance.”

“I couldn’t sleep, either.”

She slowly glances up at me. “You were also excited?”

“It’s my first dance, so yeah.”

“Oh, that’s right. So how are you liking it?”

I smile and bend close to murmur in her ear, “Best night of my life.”

Her cheeks redden, her body shuddering in this adorable way. “Really?”

I nod. “I’m not lying. For someone like me who’s had some hardships, it’s great to forget about all that and…live.”

She smiles encouragingly. “Yeah.”

“But the best part about the best night of my life? It’s you, Lexi. This moment right here. I know we don’t want to talk about anything serious right now, but I want you to know you’ve given me so much. More than I deserve. Thank you.” I lean down and brush my lips across her cheek. Her skin is so warm and soft.

Lexi rests her head on my chest again. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

I know. She’d do everything and more. Same as I would do for her.