Page 89 of Next to Everything We Wanted

In my mind, no one else existed. Gavin and I were the last people on earth, soaking up each moment before the final explosion. But there wouldn’t be one. There wouldn’t be a last time.

Because this boy was mine.

“Whoa, that’s enough, guys,” the karaoke host said with a laugh. “Roll down the windows, because there’s no air in here!”

I broke out of the kiss, remembering the whole restaurant was watching. Heat rushed to my cheeks. “S-Sorry,” I told the audience before taking Gavin’s hand and scurrying off the stage. I’d die if a video ofthatended up on the internet.

“That boosted your confidence, huh?” Gavin said as we returned to the dance floor. “You really enjoyed yourself.”

I giggled. “Maybe a little too much.” I traced my finger along the buttons of his shirt. “I still want just a little less air.”

The ocean in his eyes glistened as he grinned. “So do I, only not with all the eyes on us.”

CHAPTER 21

Gavin

Stars were probably flying around my head right now, like someone had hit me with a baseball bat, but not in the painful way that made you scream for help—the way that made you want more of it.

Okay, there might’ve been a better way to word that. Either way, the feeling was somewhere on that spectrum.

I told Sienna we needed to tone things down while we were still in public, but her sparkling eyes traveled to my lips while we stood on the dancefloor.

The couple on stage was singing a slow song. I rocked back and forth with Sienna, her fingers curling in my belt loops. She smelled perfect with her apple-scented perfume. It made me want to take her to the car and finish what we started.

No, taking things too fast would only be a road to disaster. And we were already destined for doom with the way my secret loomed over me, waiting to unleash rain over both of us.

“Let me know when you’re ready to leave,” I whispered, my ear brushing her lips. “The night is still young.” Gosh, was that cringey? EvenIwouldn’t date myself.

“Just a few more minutes,” she murmured. “I like this song.”

“Me too.” My hands traveled from her waist to her shoulders, where black lacy straps rested. “What is this?” I asked, tracing a finger over one. It slid underneath for a brief second, touching her cold skin. “It’s beautiful.”

“Oh.” Sienna’s cheeks flushed. “It’s a bralette.”

The warmth in my cheeks from kissing earlier turned into a blaze.

I was touching herbrastraps.

In public.

I dropped my hands. “S-Sorry.”

She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “What did you think it was?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I knew.”

She laughed again. “I usually don’t wear them. Arielle brought it for our date.” She adjusted one of the straps, her leopard print sleeves almost covering it completely. “It’s a little tight. They’re usually made for smaller sizes.”

Her friend had bought her a fancy bra forme? I swallowed, trying not to look at her chest or think about what she usually wore. “It’s still pretty.”

“Thank you,” she said, looking away from me as her cheeks flamed. “I still want to rip it off as soon as I get home.”

I laughed. “Fair.”

Once the song finished, we went back to our table, and I paid the bill. We walked back to the car, hand in hand.

Sienna stopped when I led her to the passenger side door, drawing in a deep breath. “I haven’t been this happy in a while.” She slipped a hand to my chest, where my heart was sprinting its way out. “Even though we only started talking a month ago . . . I’ve always wished we could become this close.”