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“I liked seeing you stand up for yourself. She was rude.”
I respond with a nod, still transfixed.
“And my standards are higher than pretty,” he says, answering my previous question.
I don’t think I’m imagining that his body crowds mine more than it was a second ago. He moves one hand just enough to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear.
I have definitely gone up in flames.
It should be uncomfortable, holding my head back to look up at him, but it’s not. I love our height difference. I love the way he looks down at me.
A small part of my brain is still somehow able to focus on the fact that we look awfully suspicious to anyone who might walk by. We’re right outside the office, it wouldn’t take much for someone else who needs some fresh air to wander this way. His mom, with her little set up, could come looking for him any second.
His face is barely inches from mine at this point.
“What are they then?” I breathe.
He shakes his head in a way that tells me he can’t believe I have to ask.
“I want someone kind and funny,” he says as if I’m supposed to know. “Someone my dog gets along with. But we both know he would hate her.”
I smile. I could see that, little Freddy being a good judge of character. It feels like the world's biggest compliment that he’s given me so much attention.
Miles returns the smile, probably remembering that same night. I don’t dare let myself hope that it’s his way of giving in. Of choosing me despite everything.
I can smell mint on his breath and all I want to do is kiss him again.
He has to be thinking the same thing. I don’t miss the way his eyes drop to my mouth before he leans in, so slowly. His hand slides behind my ear, cradling my head. Holding me like I’m something special.
And then he does it. He finally fuckingkisses me.
Every nerve in my body is alive and screaming, like it hasneededthis. It’s not like the last time when we were both drunk and eager to have some fun. Everything that’s happened between now and then, every word spoken between us has this kiss filled with emotion I’ve never experienced before. It’s slow and smooth, like he’s savoring the moment because he knows it will end.
There’s something far more violent than butterflies in my stomach as his mouth gently caresses mine, as his stubble scratches my face in the best way.
He doesn’t speed up, doesn’t pry any further. I think he’s as lost in this as I am, in the fact that we shouldn’t be doing this, but it’s been painful not to. It’s like all of that pain has never existed. Not now, for these few seconds.
I don’t hear a door open, but his mother’s familiar voice echoes from the front of the building. “Miles?”
The fire inside of me is immediately put out. I’m grateful we’d been around the corner, out of sight, at least for now.
Of course she followed after him so quickly.
He leans away from me with a sigh.
“Stay right here,” he whispers.
I nod, but on the inside I want to beg him not to walk away. I want to pull him back and pretend nothing in the world can stop us, not even her.
But I know better, and I watch him go.
27
Miles
“Hey,” I say to my mother, trying to sound as casual as possible with my heart racing the way it is.
“What are you doing, Miles?” She sounds horrified, but I pretend not to notice.
