Page 49 of This Could be Love

“I lied.”

I held my breath and watched his Adam’s apple jump up and down.

“I didn’t want to go to the party at all.”

His admission was followed by silence. My heart pounded. About ten seconds later he spoke again.

“But then you showed up.” He drew a shaky breath. “In thatdress.” He uttered a sound that bordered on despair.

My pounding heart began to race. I wanted to say something but didn’t know what. It was like my head had been swept clean. Or was it too full? He ran his fingers through his hair and muttered something that sounded a lot likefuck. Like insecurity and doubt.

And I finally grasped that I had to respond.

“I’m happy you changed your mind.”

Unfortunately, my voice jumped half an octave at the last bit, which made me mad. As did the fact that I couldn’t think of anything better to say. But he’d already taken a step toward me and pressed his lips to mine. I let out a sigh, and he took the occasion to cup my face in his hands and kiss me more deeply. My heart went completely out of control as if a long-awaited desire I hadn’t evenrealized I’d had was fulfilled. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him toward me. Pulled myself toward him. His body was warm and tight, and he smelled so incredibly good. Of summer and sun, of soap and freshly washed clothes. It wasn’t the first time I’d noticed. Just the first time that I’d kissed him while noticing. One of his hands moved to the back of my head and into my hair, setting off a wildfire across my scalp. I opened my eyes just a bit and saw that he was looking at me. As if having to convince himself that this was all really happening. Caught off guard, he smiled. It was adorable. I closed my eyes and let him decide whether he wanted to watch me sink deeper and deeper into our kiss. Into him. His hands slid over my bare shoulder blades, down my back, and finished around my waist. For a moment, I thought he wanted to lift me up and carry me off somewhere. But he just held onto me and kissed me in a way that made time and place disappear. Or, well, until a car came down the road, blinding us with its headlights. We turned and waited for it to pass. Smiling shyly at each other as the darkness swallowed up the small dots of light, it was obvious that some of the lightheartedness had disappeared. That the bubble, which had been protecting us from the outside world for a few seconds, had burst.

“You’ve got to get to bed,” he whispered.

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear and I could see that it wasn’t what he’d wanted to say either. But he was right. It had grown late.

“Good night.” He bent down and lightly kissed my cheek, and I took the opportunity to take in his scent one last time.

“’Night.” I sighed dreamily.

* * *

With a sigh of relief, I could tell that Kay was already asleep. She wouldn’t be asking me any questions. Questions I didn’t have any answers to yet. Or that would need to be put to the test. As soon as my ears stopped ringing, my cheeks stopped glowing, my heart stopped racing. As soon as there was room in my head for a clear thought again. One that didn’t revolve around Vince. Around his lips, which were just so damn soft. His hands, which were so pleasantly rough. His scent, which was so beguiling. When had I last felt like this? So jittery and tingly. So exhilarated. As if I’d been drinking champagne all night instead of water.

I went upstairs, took off my makeup, and brushed my teeth. A few splashes of toothpaste landed on my dress, but I was too lazy to scrub them out. Instead, I opted to remember the way he looked when he first saw me in it. I’d noticed his stare but hadn’t connected it to the dress. Tomein this dress. Maybe because he’d never shown that he saw more in me than just the godchild of his annoying neighbor. Although…maybe he stilldidthink that. Doubts began to stir inside me. What if it was just the moment? What if he did this regularly? Went to parties, danced with girls, made out with them, and then said goodbye.No, he’s not that kind of guy, a voice at the back of my head objected.But whatishe like then?I spit out my toothpaste, gargled some water, and took the question with me to bed.

Chapter 21

Even though thoughts about Vince and our kiss had continued to play out in my head all night, the next morning I felt surprisingly rested. I went jogging along the beach at my usual time and was relaxed and nimble. Kay had already taken off for her hairdresser appointment in Honolulu by the time I got back. I couldn’t explain kissing the very guy who was number one on her shit list. Since that kiss I hadn’t been able to think of anything else but his lips on mine.

Out on the court playing a training match against Malia, I managed to block out my emotional chaos. All the same, during the drink breaks, from time to time I was tempted to look at my phone. But Vince hadn’t texted. The rational part of me kept reminding me that he didn’t even have my number. He could get it from Laurie, my less rational thoughts said. My heart leapedwith hope when I saw a message from Laurie waiting for me after the match.

Sorry again for yesterday. That was super lame.

??Cool that you went to the party anyway.

Hope Vince behaved? (He says, yeah)

Reading his name was enough to get my heart beating faster again. At the same time, a heap of questions popped into my head and rushed to join all the others that had settled there since last night. Had Vince told Laurie about our kiss? Probably not; otherwise she wouldn’t have asked if he’d behaved. But they had to have spoken about the party. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall.

I only answered Laurie once I’d showered and was stretched out on Kay’s couch. All afternoon the sun had been beating down on my head, and though I’d gotten used to the heat, the AC was a real relief.

No big deal. Should have looked at my phone earlier.??

And don’t worry: your brother was in a good mood for once??

A really good one, I thought and added a How you doing? afterward because suddenly my reply seemed to be too ambiguous. She reacted immediately.

PMS hitting hard again… Depending on the moment I either want to yell at someone or have churros with sugar and cinnamon.

Grinning, I looked for an appropriate GIF and hitsend. At the same moment, I heard someone typing in the door code outside.

“Oh, you’re home already,” Kay said and stepped inside, two shopping bags in hand.