Page 56 of Lessons in Chemistry

“They won on points.” I can feel my grin stretching from ear to ear. I know Casey was part of a bigger team, but as far as I’m concerned, he was the biggest winner today.

“Will we see him once he’s showered and changed?”

“Probably not. They travel as a team. I’ll see him when he gets home later.” I’ll be sure to leave my door open so that, no matter how late it is, he knows he’s welcome to come and see me.

“Tell him well done from me.”

“You should tell him yourself.”

“I will next time I see him.” He squeezes my hand.

My hand is warm. I don’t want him to let go. Neither of us moves for several seconds. Then Auggie relaxes his grip a fraction.

I tighten mine. “Don’t let go.”

“I’ll have to eventually.”

“I know. But not yet.”

“What about your head?”

“I’m not going to stop being confused about liking two guys at once or stop being worried about Casey until he opens up to me. But there’s nothing I can do about either of those things. All I know is that this feels right.” I lift our hands. “Being with you makes my heart race. I want you to kiss me again.”

Auggie glances towards the pool. The swimmers have gone, and the audience is leaving.

“Kiss me. Please.”

“Are you sure it’s what you want?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

Staring into my eyes, he leans forward, cups my cheek with his free hand, and presses his lips to mine. Electricity tingles through me. My pulse races. I know what to do this time, so I part my lips to let him slip his tongue into my mouth. The kiss is every bit as amazing as the first and then some. It makes my heart quiver. Every thought flies out of my head, and time stands still.

It’s over too fast. I touch my damp lips as Auggie straightens. My chin itches from where his beard rubbed against my skin.

“You’ve got a beard rash,” he says.

He pulls his phone out, opens his camera app, puts it into selfie mode, and turns the screen to me so I can see my face as though the phone were a mirror. He’s right. My chin and jaw are red and, for once, not because I’m blushing. Except now I am. My cheeks and nose light up, making me look like a drunk Santa Claus. Forget the blush. Having a beard rash is sexy as hell.

“Let’s get out of here,” Auggie says.

“And go where?”

“Home? Maybe we can get some food first.”

“Will you kiss me like that again?”

“Now?”

“Later.”

“If it’s what you want.”

“It is.”

“I do have one condition.” His dark blue eyes sparkle.

“What?”