Page 46 of Kiss Collector

Kenzie stumbles out of the trees, letting out a yelp when the brambles snag around her jeans. She comes over and takes my arm. I hand her the cup and she drinks before squinting into the trees.

“Hey, I know you guys!” And then, to my amusement, she goes straight toward them to hug them. Joel looks at me over her shoulder with amusement as he pats her back. And then Kwami opens his arms wide and Kenzie snuggles into his chest while he laughs. He takes a drag, turning his head to the side to blow out the smoke.

“We can stay like this all night if you want,” he says.

“You’re a good hugger,” Kenzie slurs.

I cross my arms. “Yeah, she has a boyfriend now, but she’ll always be the Hugging Bandit.”

The guys both chuckle, and I look at Joel again, rememberinghow nice he was at the shop. Their cigarette smoke stinks, but I still feel more comfortable standing there with them than I do over at the main party. When Kenz finally pulls away, some of her beer sloshes onto Kwami’s pant leg, and she gasps.

“Oh, my gosh,Kwamiiii... I’m so sorry!”

“It’s all good.” He grins and takes another drag.

I reach for Kenzie’s hand and pull her closer to keep her steady. A lull passes.

“Well,” I say, “I guess we’ll see you guys later.” They both nod, and we turn to leave them.

“Ilooooove sweet people,” Kenzie says to me. “Like, legit sweet, you know?” I have to walk slower when she lays her head against my arm.

“Me, too, Kenz.”

My heart gives a hard bang when I spot Lin and Monica standing with Dean. I pick up our pace, practically pulling Kenzie.

“Hiiiii, Dean!” Kenzie crashes into his wide chest and he gives an umph of laughter.

“Dang, girl, look at you,” he says, holding her at arm’s length now as she smiles goofily up at him.

“Dean is so nice,” Kenzie says, swiveling her head to me. “You should put him on your kissing list!”

My face goes slack with horror. “Kenzie, shut up,” I mutter.

Dean eyes me with a half grin. “Yourwhat?”

“Nothing—”

Kenzie pushes out in front of me. “Zae’s making a list of guys—”

“I am not!” I laugh it off as if she’s crazy, though I want todie. “There’s no list.” I glare at Kenzie’s pouting face. “I’mnotmaking a list of anything, Kenz.”

Her chin quivers. “Why are you yelling at me?”

“I’m not!”

“Come here, sweetie.” Monica takes her by the arm. “I think there are people you haven’t hugged yet.” Lin shoots me an upset look before she takes Kenzie’s other arm and they lead her away. I’m not sure if Lin’s upset with me or about Kenz, but surely she has to understand how embarrassing this is for me. My face is hot with humiliation.

Dean crosses his strong arms over his wide expanse of chest as I peer up at him. It’s like he’s waiting for me to explain, and I feel compelled to do just that.

“Look... when Wylie and I broke up, I was really mad and bitter, and then crap happened at home.” I swallow hard. “So, we all decided we were just going to be single and have fun and whatever. You know, just being crazy.”

His arms tighten. “Like with Rex Morino? Be careful.”

Now I cross my own arms. “Iam.”

Does anyone tell a guy to be careful when he’s playing the field and having fun? Why should I have to be careful? Boys should take responsibility and have some freaking self-control whether a girl is being “careful” or not. I drop my arms and shake them out. I don’t want to be mad at Dean.

“I was glad when you texted me. Thank you.”