Page 214 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11

“That I’m going to steal all your firsts.”

Who the hell was I talking to? “WHO. IS. THIS?!?!” I texted.

“Your kiss thief.”

I swallowed hard. I needed a list of everyone on the football team ASAP.

Scarlett and the Kiss Thief - Chapter 16 – Red Pandas

Sunday

For once I was actually happy to be grounded. I knew I needed Sophie’s help with all this, but I just needed a couple days to wallow on my own. And I needed a couple days to try to solve the mystery of who my kiss thief might be without having to kiss the whole football team. So instead of planning a kissing booth with my best friend, I was getting some much needed fresh air. And going to the only place in the world that could always put a smile on my face.

A place that even my dad couldn’t say no to when I’d asked. Probably because I’d looked so sad all weekend. The only problem was that he’d insisted on coming with me. And I desperately needed to be alone so I could think.

“Are you hungry?” I asked as we made our way down the familiar path at the zoo.

My dad shrugged. “Sure. What would you like, pumpkin?”

“Whatever you’re having,” I said. “I’ll meet you at the red panda exhibit. Bye!”

Before he could even respond, I hurried off. I breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t follow. I just needed a second alone to think. But as soon as I disappeared into the crowd, the same unhelpful and pesky thoughts returned.

Maybe first kisses didn’t mean much to my mom. But I’d been saving mine for so long for Axel. The idea of my first kiss being his meant everything to me. Him not wanting it hurt. It still hurt. But I was so done hurting.

I’d finally been ready to move on. I’d wanted to give my first kiss to Jacob. I’d so badly wanted it to be him. And I’d thought it was him.

But of course I’d somehow messed that up too. And now I had no idea who I’d just given my first kiss to. My dirty kiss thief could be anyone on the football team. Or a drifter.

And the worst part about all of it was that I’d kissed my kiss thief back. It wasn’t just a peck that maybe I could write off. My first kiss had been one hell of a kiss.

If I hadn’t thought it was Jacob, I would have shoved the guy off. But Ihadthought it was him. I’d wanted it to be him. And now I just felt more lost than ever.

I sighed when I reached the red panda exhibit. Whatever reprieve I’d hoped to feel didn’t happen.

When I was little, I thought the zoo was the epitome of romance. I’d pictured my first kiss here countless times. It was easy, because I’d dragged Axel here all the time. And it was hard not to let my mind wander when I stared at him.

But he wasn’t here now. I was all alone.

I sat down on a bench and stared at the red pandas. I was pretty sure this was the first time I’d ever not smiled here. And if red pandas couldn’t cheer me up, I knew I was in a bad way.

I pulled my legs up on the bench, wrapping my arms around them. My bottom lip started to tremble.

God, how could this have happened? What other person in the history of first kisses had given it away to a stranger in a dark snake-infested closet? And liked it?

I groaned and closed my eyes. I think that was the worst part. How much I’d liked it. I’d built first kisses up in my head for years. And it hadn’t disappointed. The only disappointment was that I didn’t know who I’d kissed. Well, that and the fact that I was a slut. There was really no other way to describe it. I’d practically tried to climb the stranger in the closet.

Maybe I’d called Liam a slut so many times that I’d somehow manifested it and become one myself.

Ugh.

I opened my eyes and stared at the red pandas again. There was one on a branch with his butt in the air and his face in a bunch of leaves. He looked like he was faceplanting the branch. The adorableness couldn’t even cheer me up. And that was very worrisome.

I sighed. I felt exactly the same way as that panda. I’d rather faceplant this bench than ever face reality again.

I pictured Axel’s face when I told him about Operation First Kiss. He’d had zero reaction. All he’d given me was a shrug. Because he didn’t care. Because of course he didn’t. How many more signs did I need?

Him flat out telling me he didn’t want to kiss me would have been mortifying. I should have been grateful that he hadn’t. But maybe I needed to hear those words. I wasn’t sure it would even hurt anymore. I already hurt too much.