Page 63 of Next to Everything We Wanted

I wanted to kiss her one last time, but it wouldn’t be fair to her when I had no idea where I stood. Instead, I rubbed my arm across her back, feeling the sparkly material of her top.

I did take her hand when we walked back to the car this time, enjoying how warm hers felt. Gosh, I hoped mine wasn’t too sweaty.

While we drove to her house, we belted out the songs on my Whiteout playlist. My throat was sore from how much screaming and singing I’d done at the concert, yet I matched Sienna’s level.

When “Midnight Kiss” came on, we stopped singing and stayed in silence. Even though I kept my eyes on the road, I could feel Sienna’s gaze on me.

Once we arrived at her house, I turned toward Sienna and smiled. “Have a great night.”

“Thank you. You too.” She leaned over the console and planted a kiss on my cheek. It lasted for no longer than a second, but it was enough to make my pulse throb. She got out of the car and waved at me before skipping back into her house.

My smile fell when I realized the night was over, and I had to drive back to my apartment to live in what was my reality again.

Man, Ireallyhated reality if nights like these couldn’t be part of it.

CHAPTER 16

Sienna

Have you ever danced around your room after waking up because you had the night of your life with the guy of your dreams?

Fine, maybe I was alone on this one. Either way, I wasliving.

When I’d gotten home last night, I had a hard time believing everything with Gavin had actually happened. We’d sung, danced, and opened ourselves up to each other. I got to see who he really was behind the curtains. I got toknowhim.

And his lips. Gosh, I loved those lips. “Midnight Kiss” forever had a new meaning to me.

As if he could read my mind, my phone buzzed with a text from Gavin.

Ivan

Can’t stop thinking about last night

Butterflies took flight in my stomach.

Sienna

Good, because I can’t either

I danced my way down the hall to where Dad laid waffles out on the table. He had the day off work and wanted to spend it crashing in his favorite chair.

Dad’s lips formed a grin as I sat at the table. “Good morning, Sienna.” He wiggled his dark eyebrows. “How was your hot date?”

“Please don’t do that thing with your eyebrows. It looks bad when Raina does it, and it looks a million times worse when you do it.”

He smacked a palm to his chest. “Sienna Ruby Rowan, do not disrespect your father!”

I laughed, though I winced at my middle name. Ruby Rowan. My mom for ten years. My stomach twisted at the fact I shared the same name as the woman who’d decided she didn’t want to be a wife or mother anymore.

I’d never be like that.

“I’m sorry, Dad.” I rolled my eyes, trying to push down the bitter feelings toward my mom. “The date went great. We were just hanging out as friends, but we had some . . . deep moments. It was one of the best nights of my life.”

“That’s awesome.” Dad’s eyes lit up, the amber bright like the sunlight that streamed into the nook. “I haven’t seen you this happy in a while.”

“Ihaven’tbeen this happy in a while. Even though it seems like Ivan and I are so different, we’ve really been clicking. And he liked it when I kissed him.”

“I’m glad you guys have been—wait a minute.” Dad narrowed his eyes at me. “Youkissedhim?”