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She wanted to erase the ache.
The hurt and the sting.
Mend the crack that had been left gaping in the center of her chest.
“I like the way you look, too.”
God, she was a blubbering idiot. Awkward. But it wasn’t like she’d ever been alone with a boy before, and she had no idea what to say.
He chuckled a sound that wasn’t quite condescending, and he shook his head in amusement as he flipped the lights back on his car and pulled from the curb. “You’re cute, Elena Mercer.”
“I had a lot of fun,” she whispered into the darkness of his car.
It wasn’t a lie. She enjoyed herself. Sitting up on the hill overlooking the city on a blanket.
Talking for hours.
She didn’t have full butterflies, but God, she was feeling them right then. With the way he looked at her.
“Yeah, me, too.” Patrick’s voice was low as he stared over at her. “A lot of fun.”
“Thank you for picking me up.” She itched in her seat, not sure of what she was supposed to do.
“I’d really like to do it again.”
Pink rushed to her cheeks, but she allowed a little confidence to slide into her words. It was obvious she was awkward and inexperienced. She might as well lean into it.
“You weren’t bored out of your mind?” She grinned at him.
He chuckled. “Not in the least.”
More of that redness.
“Love that pink,” he murmured.
She shifted her gaze to her lap but peeked over at him. “Thank you.”
“Meet me again?”
She quickly nodded. “I’d like that.”
Then she unclicked the door and slipped out, her heart still fluttering as she hurried back to her house. The night nearly over.
She quieted herself when she got to the steps, keeping her feet light as she pushed her ear to the door to make sure Meems was still asleep.
No noise.
She turned the knob and stepped into the house, quickly latched and locked it behind her, and started to rush toward the hall.
Only she stalled out when she felt the presence behind her.
One she would recognize anywhere.
One that still held the power to send goosebumps rushing across her flesh.
“Was worried about you.”
She slowly turned.
