Page 5

"I 'm not sure this is a good idea," I say in apprehension, staring at the house across the street through the passenger window of Iris's car.

"Seriously? You couldn't have said that when we were getting ready an hour ago in your bedroom?"

I chew on my cherry-flavored bottom lip, my eyes still fixed outside. "I know. I'm just really nervous."

"You're not obligated to kiss Conrad at this party—you know that, right? No one's forcing you to do it."

"Well, Denton might."

"I'm pretty sure he merely suggested it."

I shift on my seat to face her. "You've seen how determined he looked yesterday."

"Good point. Honestly, I still can't believe he's helping you carry out your plan. Are you sure he didn't ask anything in return?"

I shake my head slightly, careful not to ruin my messy ponytail. "Not a thing. Maybe he's Cupid incarnate or something. That, or he's just really nosy and has nothing better to do."

"Or maybe," Iris draws out, arching a perfectly lined eyebrow, "he wants to get that kiss for himself."

A laugh bursts from my lips. "You're kidding, right?"

She has to be. Because there's no way that's true. I never got that vibe from him. Not even a little bit.

"I mean, think about it. Why does he care so much? His interest doesn't seem normal."

"Maybe because Conrad is his best friend, and he wants to make sure that Conrad won't be taken advantage of or something."

"Uh, what? That doesn't make any sense."

I roll my eyes. "Whatever. Let's just get this thing over and done with. I need to know if Conrad's the one or if I have to cross his name out early in the game."

"Oh, this is a game now?"

"Ugh. You know what I mean. Come on." I push the car door open and climb out.

While I wait for Iris to get out of her car, I smooth down my purple chiffon skirt that flows around my knees. I paired it with a white sleeveless top and open-toe heels. I didn't bother with a clutch. Thankfully, my skirt comes with a pocket that has enough room to hold my phone and a few dollar bills tucked in a coin purse.

"Ready to make a move on your potential toad, princess?" Iris appears next to me, looking gorgeous in her dark blue dress that skims her thighs. Maybe she'll find a "toad" for herself too.

Taking a deep breath, I let Iris pull me toward Jason's house.

A few kids from school wave and smile at us as we stroll over the front lawn. Iris and I love to sit by ourselves at lunch, but we’re not exactly unpopular around the school. We socialize in different circles when we want to.

The front door's open so we easily let ourselves inside. Jason’s parties usually involve pounding music, but that’s not the case right now. The music is a little mellow, and I can easily hear the conversations around us.

“Is it just me or does this party seem a little lame?” Iris whispers next to me.

Come to think of it, the house isn’t crowded with people—which is usually the case with Jason’s parties.

“I don't know,” I whisper back. “What’s going on?”

“Look, there’s Denton. I’m sure he knows what’s up.”

Sure enough, Denton's across the room. Dressed in a red shirt and dark jeans, he's talking to Conrad and Jason—both in gray shirts—holding a blue plastic cup in his hand.

"And two of your potential toads are with him right now. How convenient," Iris chuckles. Then before I can say anything, she's pulling my arm and dragging me toward them. "Hey, guys."

The three of them turn their heads in unison.

Denton flicks up an eyebrow when our eyes lock, his gaze sweeping over me slowly. Then he nods, as if showing approval of my outfit.

As if I need it.

When I roll my eyes at him, he just smirks. "Nice of you to make it, Perry."

I narrow my eyes on him. "Rude not to accept your invite, Chase."

Sensing the tension between us, Conrad clears his throat. "How's the assignment going?"

I blink at him. "Assignment?"

"The one you're working on with Denton, remember?" Iris reminds me, her eyes widening a little.

Right. The fake assignment.

"Oh, yeah. That assignment." I laugh awkwardly. "Slipped my mind for a second there."

Jason lets out a groan. "Can we not talk about school right now? We're having a party here."

"Oh, are you?" Iris says sarcastically. "I thought you were having a tea party instead."

I bite back a laugh.

Conrad coughs in his fist.

Jason focuses his dark brown eyes on Iris and then scoffs. “You can thank Denton for that. He said the low music would be good for a change.”

I narrow my eyes on Denton who has a secretive smirk playing on his lips. What is he planning to do now?

“Well,” Denton draws out, “I was just thinking—when was the last time we played 7 Minutes in Heaven ? 8th grade? It’s been a while.”

Jason snorts at that. “Try sixth grade.”

“Point still stands,” Denton says.

“Oh, does it?” I mock.

That’s what he’s been planning? 7 Minutes in Heaven ? How lame can he be? Then again, this is exactly what I’ve wanted from the beginning. And two of the guys on the list are present. Who knows when I’m going to get this chance again? I have to, at least, see where this is going.

“Okay, I’m in,” I announce.

“Of course, you are, Perry.” Denton taps my nose, making me scowl.

“I’m not playing,” Iris says. “But I’m definitely watching. Something tells me this is going to be entertaining.”

Conrad chuckles. “I think I’m going to do the same.”

I exchange a panicked look with Denton. What now?

“Hey, that’s crazy talk,” Denton protests. “No one’s exempted. We’re all playing.”

“Seriously?” Jason groans. “Man, you owe me for this.”

“You’ll manage,” Denton chuckles, patting his friend on the back. “Let’s gather everyone.”

“Wow. He’s really serious about helping you,” Iris mutters as we watch the boys round up everyone in the living room. “Maybe you should just kiss him.”

I whip my head to her so fast I almost get dizzy. “You’re joking, right?”

“I don’t know why he’s not included in the list anyway. Honestly, he’s the most good-looking one among his friends. His name should be on your kiss list. Heck, he should be on top, not Conrad.”

“Maybe you should kiss him,” I grumble. But why does the idea of my best friend kissing Denton bother me a lot?

Because if anyone’s kissing Denton Chase, it’s me.

Now, wait a minute. Where did that thought come from?

I shake my head to clear it. I must be losing my mind. Must be the desperation to kiss someone before my seventeenth birthday.

Yeah, I'm fully admitting that now.

I'm desperate. No shame in that anymore.

"Okay, everyone. Find your seats, uh, anywhere." Denton waves a hand in the direction of the couches. "And then we'll start."

"What is this? Middle school?" someone asks loudly.

Laughter follows.

Denton narrows his eyes in their direction. "No one's forcing you to be here, O'Malley. Door's open. You can leave."

Greg O'Malley and his friends stay still, not even moving an inch. While they look properly chastised, no one dares to talk back.

They're on the swim team, and they clearly don't want to piss off their captain.

Conrad clears his throat. "Okay, let's do this."

Denton nods. "I'll pick the couples."

"Why do you get to pick?" Jason protests, shoving his fingers through his thick black hair. "Can't we just draw out names or something?"

"That would take a lot of time. This will be a lot faster." Denton pauses, then smirks. "I choose Maisie and Conrad for the first couple. Go and enjoy the privacy of Jason's room for seven minutes." When Jason starts to protest again, he says, "You want us to use your parents' bedroom?"

Jason glares at him. "The guest bedroom, genius."

Denton rolls his eyes. "Fine. The guest bedroom. Conrad, take Maisie there."

Conrad exchanges indecipherable looks with Jason before turning to me. "Why don't you go ahead, Maisie? I'll be there in a minute."

"Um, okay." I try not to look excited, but when I glance at Iris, I notice that she's suppressing a laugh. Which tells me I'm failing at hiding my emotions.

Whatever. I'm getting my first kiss before the night ends. And that's all that matters.