Page 64 of Deliverance

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Maryia and I have been texting almost nonstop since the bonfire. Skyla was pissed at me for ditching her, but she got over it. I do feel like shit, though. Apparently, Bridgette lured her out to the cemetery and Asher shoved her into an empty grave. She sat out there for over a half an hour until Vincent Griggs, of all people, helped her out. See what I mean? He’s a creepy fucker. Who just hangs out in a haunted graveyard filled with the bodies of the tried witches from the trials? Psycho creepy eliminators, that’s who.

Tonight, everyone is gathered at Putnam Manor for Skyla and Asher’s engagement party. Sky didn’t talk about it at all. I think she’s dissociating or something, which considering how her piece of shit fiancé has been treating her, I can’t say I blame her.

My mother dressed me up in the most disgusting Pepto Bismol colored dress to ever exist. Yeah, it even rivals the bridesmaid dress she forced on me at her wedding. She has been watching me like a hawk, probably to make sure I don’t take off like the last time. You know, the time where I found the girl I was falling for choking on Putnam’s cock.

Good times.

My eyes meet Maryia’s for the tenth time tonight. She’s standing between her parents, wearing a soft blue dress that looks so beautiful. She gives me a small smile before pulling out her phone.

Maryia: Stop looking at me like that.

Me: Why, Bambi?

I look up to see her bite her lip and shake her head.

Maryia: Because it makes me want to kiss you.

I grin at that. I’ve been calling her Bambi ever since that first night. She has these big beautiful brown doe eyes, and she’s so timid. She’s like a baby deer I have to tread carefully with or risk spooking.

Me: We can arrange that. Meet me in the back of the house in two minutes.

I wait for her to read it before she looks up at me and nods. I smile and turn to face my mom.

“I have to use the bathroom.”

She gives me a narrowed look. “That’s what you said last time.”

I roll my eyes. “I said I was sorry. Do you want me to piss all over Christopher’s floor?”

A look of horror washes over her face as she shakes her head.

“God, you’re disgusting. Hurry back. Miles said he wanted to dance with you tonight.”

My eyes move to the man in question. He’s currently schmoozing with his parents when his eyes catch mine. He gives me a quick wink before facing the man talking to him. Gag. If I have to suffer another minute with that moronic jackass, I think I’ll puke all over his shoes.

From the minute we arrived, Harry and my mother practically shoved me into his arms. They gave us all twenty feet of ‘space’ while we got to know each other. You know what I got to know? He’s dumb, an asshole, and exceptionally obnoxious. He kept asking the weirdest questions, like what my favorite kind of cheese was, or if I considered Pluto a planet. He continued to smile, acting like we were having the best time while I was pretending I was literally anywhere but in front of him. It’s already too much that I’ll be forced to marry a man, but one that clearly can’t pick up social cues? So excited for that life.

When Skyla and Asher arrived, she sought me out almost immediately when I was talking to Miles. She shot me a confused look and seemed like she was going to intervene, to which I quickly shook my head. She has enough problems; she doesn’t need to get involved in mine.

Slipping past my mother, I head for the back of the house, passing the bathrooms before moving down a hallway. I find a little alcove and decide to wait for Maryia here. It takes a minute or so before she appears. She almost walks past me, but I quickly reach for her, yanking her over to me as I pin her against the wall.

My hand lifts to cup her face as I smile at her.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” Sbe blushes.

“So, what were you saying about wanting to kiss me?” I ask with a waggle of my eyebrows.

Her blush intensifies before she leans forward, pressing her lips against mine. I smile against her, my tongue wrapping around hers as I hold her tight. Her arms wrap around my waist, holding me to her as I continue moving my lips against hers.

“I missed you,” I say as I begin peppering her neck with kisses.

She lets out a breathy moan as she nods.

“I missed you. I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”