Page 34 of Last Call Lindy Hop

“Won’t hear me complaining.”

I smiled and clinked my bottle against his. “Good games.”

“Thanks,” he said shyly. “I was worried I wouldn’t be a challenge. I’m rather rusty.”

“That’s rusty?” I asked. “Damn, you’d be unstoppable if you were in practice.”

I smiled, but Lance had taken on a contemplative expression.

“Hey, where’d you go?” I asked, taking the bottle from his hand and setting it and mine on the coffee table. Then I folded his fingers in my hands, trying to ground him.

He blinked at me and smiled, but there was a bit of force to it.

No, don’t go.

I scooted a bit closer. “More games?” I offered. “Movie?”

He looked at me and our eyes met.

“I…” he started, then swallowed.

I stared at his Adam’s apple again, suddenly wanting to know what it would feel like under my lips. Then I was thinking about lips, and my eyes rose to his—slightly chapped, but pink.

Was it just me, or was he getting closer? Was I getting closer?

His breath was warm between us, and I glanced up to see his eyes half-lidded.

Just one. Just one kiss. I’d never kissed a guy, and I needed to know what it was like.

Right?

We were so close. This was happening.

Lance jerked straight and pulled back, startling me back to reality.

He stood, knocking his legs against the coffee table. “I… You… I should go.”

He almost ran to the door, grabbing his jacket on the way.

“Lance,” I called. “Wait!”

“This was a mistake,” he declared, then was out the door.

I wanted to run after him, but I seemed glued to the couch.

I touched my lips, so close to his but never touching.

I was straight…

Wasn’t I?

Chapter 17 - Lance

Ireached for another tissue, but my fingernails scraped the bottom of the box.

Somehow that only made me sob harder. I couldn’t even have a pity-party properly.

What was wrong with me? I’d almost kissed Eli, and I knew he was straight!