Page 114 of Unexpected Prejudice

His face turned crimson, and his lips parted slightly, clearly not knowing how to reply.

“You are beautiful, Levi. And funny. And smart. And you make kick-ass roasted marshmallows.”

I bumped our shoulders, trying to help him relax when screaming came from the shore and made us both look toward it. I wasn’t surprised to see Diesel running to the water with some girl thrown over his shoulder.

“What are your plans for the summer?” Levi asked, taking my attention away from Diesel and the girl.

“What are your plans for the summer?” I returned the question, and he grunted. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was rolling his eyes.

“Abby asked you out,” he blurted out of the blue.

“She did.”

“Are you going to date her?”

I leaned back on my arms. “Do you want me to date her?”

“It’s not up to me.”

“Well, I just asked you… so it kinda is.”

“Where did Andrei go?”

“Don’t avoid the question.” I poked him with the marshmallow stick before I threw it aside.

“Hey, don’t litter.” He stood and was about to reach for the stick when I grabbed his wrist.

“I’ll pick it up later.” Glancing up at him, I gave him a big smile that made him look away for a second, and then he looked back, meeting my eyes before I let go of his wrist. Something told me that this was the moment. That tonight was the time to push and not tease.

“Help me stand up.” I opened and closed my palm, waiting until he’d reached for it. The moment he did, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him down.

“What the—” he started to protest, but I cut him off with a kiss.

Not just a kiss. The kiss.

The kiss I’d been thinking about for years.

The kiss I’d been imagining every time I went to sleep and every time I opened my eyes.

Levi didn’t resist. Instead, he relaxed in my embrace, where he belonged, and kissed me back until we were both out of breath. This moment was sweet and pure. It was everything I’d ever wanted and more.

His gentle fingers trembled, so I grabbed his hand and brought it close to my chest, holding him tight.

“Jessie,” he whispered over my lips in a weak, shaky voice.

I moved my free hand to his face, pushing the dark hair away from his stunning eyes. Once I had a clear vision of his porcelain face, which I recognized even in the dark, I smiled.

“What do you say, Babydoll, wanna go on a date with me?”

He bit his lips, unable to provide actual words, and nodded.

Relieved that I could finally hug him the way I always wanted, I was filled with warmth I’d never known.

Warmth that settled deep inside my chest.

Warmth I knew would stay there forever.

“I can’t breathe.” I tapped my chest, trying to get up, only to fall back on the couch. “I-I can’t breathe.”