Page 135 of Fall Fake-Out

Slowly, Wade tugs me, turning me so my back is pressed against the brick wall.

The look in his eyes sends a rush of heat down my body.

Not confident.

Not cocky.

Not playful.

Vulnerable.

Like this moment matters to him.

Like I matter.

His gaze drifts over my face. My eyes. My mouth. Then back again.

“Ari.” He takes a small step closer, placing his palm on the wall behind me. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since middle school.” He laughs to himself. “Probably earlier than that, if I’m being honest.”

“Me too.”

Something flickers across his face. The smallest amount of relief, as if he didn’t know I felt the same way.

His other hand lifts slowly, giving me every opportunity to stop him. When his fingertips brush a loose curl beside my cheek, a chill runs down my spine. His thumb trails lightly against my jaw, still waiting, like he’s letting me choose. I think that’s what finally undoes me. Not the flirting, the charm, or the way he’s looked at me all week.

It’s the care.

The way he’s treating this moment like it’s important to him.

“Don't make me regret this,” I whisper, because even though I can see this isn’t a game to him, I’m still scared. The words aren’t really about the kiss. They’re about every fear I've carried for years. Every piece of my heart that’s still a little bruised from Andy.

Wade’s expression softens immediately. “I would never.”

His answer is enough.

My hand slides up his chest, curling into the fabric of his shirt.

The first brush of his lips against mine is soft. Tentative. Like neither of us quite believes it’s happening.

A breath passes between us.

Another.

Then I kiss him back.

And suddenly, all the years between us disappear.

High school.

Florida.

Andy.

The fake dating.

All of it gone.

Only this moment right now matters.