Page 6

The urge to kiss her is instant, hitting me so hard in the chest that I fight not to stumble back. Having her warmth against my hands, I don’t want to budge even slightly.

I find myself wondering what she’d taste like—whether she’d carry the lingering spice of the apple cider we’d just finished, or be pure, addicting sweetness like a dessert.

Valerie blinks, her breath catching as she registers just how tightly I’m holding her.

“I—um…” she stutters, her voice barely above a whisper as a deeper blush coats her cheeks. “Thanks. I… I completely missed them coming.”

I don’t kiss her like I want to. Hell, I barely manage to release my grip on her as my head jerks in a nod.

We keep shuffling forward in an obvious L that leads into another. Valerie’s quieter this time, and I can’t help but notice her ears are pink now.

It’s not until we make it through Willowbrook that she glances over her shoulder to make sure I’m still behind her. Guess I’ve been just as quiet, too.

“I was really looking forward to today, you know,” Valerie says softly, ending the silence as we round another turn without running into another reckless soul. Her eyes remain on the paper map, but her fingers tighten around the edges.

A familiar pang of disappointment hits me, but I keep my tone even. “Yeah? The town gets pretty lively for the festival. Good food, too, if you hit up the right stalls.”

After watching her for the last few years, I know she’s a big fan of the running theme.

“No, I was excited to see you,” she says, then stops in her tracks as her words catch up to her. Turning to look my way, I can see the panic swimming in her gaze.

It feels like she just told me something I wasn’t supposed to know.

“I-I mean—because we barely get to see each other. The Labor Day parade, you were busy with organizing the vehicles driving and—” As if realizing she’s rambling, her words die in her throat.

She was excited to see me? Fuck, even better—she normally tries to hunt me down, too? Here I thought that was an unhealthy habit I'd eventually need to kick down the road.

“Valerie.” Saying her name makes her bite her bottom lip, ever so nervously. “I look forward to seeing you too.”

It feels like a bit of weight has rolled off my shoulders at admitting the truth. Can’t hurt to let a little more drop off.

“Every single time, too. You might not realize it, but you brighten every event you help with. Whenever a few months go by and we miss each other, it’s the worst.”

As soon as the words leave my lips, I watch the tension leave her body. She stares up at me like I suddenly have another head on my shoulders. The only abnormality with me is this thing in my chest growing double in size now that I’m starting to consider it being okay to think such things.

“Isn’t it?” Whispering the words, she lets out a weak laugh. “And here I thought I annoyed you, or that you hated me.”

Hated her? I can’t go more than a few days without the thought of what she’s doing to pass her time crossing my mind.

“Not even close.” Reaching for her without thinking, I don’t catch myself until my thumb sweeps over her heated cheek.

I want to kiss her.

I should pull away. It’s the right thing to do. Just because we enjoy each other’s presence doesn’t mean she feels the same haunting sensations that I do. She’s a beauty with plenty of years ahead of her, someone who can easily get someone better for her.

I force my hand back down to my side, curling it into a tight fist. “I shouldn’t—”

Before I can finish the thought, Valerie lets out a tiny, breathless exhale before releasing the paper in her hand. It barely has time to flutter to the ground before she’s standing on her tiptoes.

Before I can react, her hands tangle in the front of my shirt, tugging me down to meet her. And like a house of cards, I collapse completely and let her.

Chapter five

Valerie

I’m kissing Caden McGivens. This isn’t a dream; it's reality.

The heat of his breath stings against my skin as I nudge back, just far enough to take in his face. A spike of panic hits me—I expect hesitation, or worse, shock at my bold decision.