Page 79 of Library or Lattes?

But why was she here? She’d spent the night.

Reading my mind, my face, James sighed. “She’s been begging me to get back together, and my head has been all over the place—with you …” My heart raced. “But when she showed up on Friday night, I knew. My feelings for her were just gone. Or maybe they were never there in the first place. Not properly. So I told her the truth. That I was into someone else. And she stayed in the tiny house and I went home to eat soup with my mom and dad.” James smiled sheepishly. “This morning? That was her leaving for goo—”

Finally, I cut him off. “Sorry, wait,” I said. “You’re into someone else?”

My voice came out smaller than I’d meant it to.

“Yes, Red, I’m into someone else,” James said gently. Then he pushed the hair away from my face, tilted my chin up toward his, and gazed into my eyes. “I’m seriously into someone else.”

“Oh,” I whispered.

Then we kissed. Slowly, softly, perfectly, in front of the glowing fire.

10 Library

OVER THE NEXT WEEK or so, Theo and I were inseparable. He started meeting me before school, standing at my street corner, holding one black coffee and one pumpkin spice latte after I’d admitted what I really liked. (Turned out he knew all along.) After school, we’d study at the library, and then he’d come back to my house to continue his fix-it bromance with my pop. Theo had adapted so fully to Oak Falls that it was his idea to go to the town Bonfire Night together.

It was one of my favorite nights of the year, and I couldn’t wait to make him part of it. But this year, it brought something else. Bonfire Night meant it was almost Thanksgiving. And Thanksgiving meant things changing once and for all.

The fire blazed in the town square, flames leaping orange and gold against the dark November sky. Kids ran around with sparklers, writing their names with the light, and families huddled together holding cups of hot cocoa, waiting patiently for the fireworks. Pop and Jo were walking around hand in hand, like they’d been together for years.

We found everyone by the food cart.

“She’s here!” Lennie spun around and hugged me. She turned to Theo. “Weatherman, maybe you could explain to us why it’s so damn cold tonight?”

“Funny,” Theo said. “So what is there to do around here?”

“Well, there’s the bonfire, and the fireworks start in like an hour. The best view is over there by the creek.” Lennie pointed toward the other side of the square. “That’s where Sara and I will be watching, anyway.”

“The creek?” Theo raised an eyebrow, joking with my best friend. “You know cold air settles near water … so it’ll be at least five degrees colder over there.”

“Always with the weather,” Lennie mock-whispered.

“Well, it’s a good thing I’ll have you to keep me warm, then,” I said, nudging Theo.

“Sounds romantic.” Sara leaned into Lennie.

Theo looked down at my sweater. “Hypothermia is not romantic.”

“Why are you looking at me when you say that?”

“Because you’re the one who came out in inadequate clothing,” Theo said.

“A sweater and a jacket is not inadequate. And look around. I’m dressed just like everyone else.”

Theo scanned the crowd. “The plaid epidemic in its natural state …”

“Hey!” I pushed him playfully.

“Hey yourself,” he said, moving in front of me so it felt like it was just the two of us alone in the world.

Then he leaned in and whispered, “Hey, why don’t we go back to your place so you can get some warmer clothes?” His voice was deeper than usual. More intimate. And the intensity in his eyes let me know he wasn’t just suggesting that I pick up an extra sweater.

“I like that idea,” I said, mock-shivering, and he put his arm around my shoulder as we said goodbye to my friends and left the bonfire behind.

We’d barely made it through my front door before we were kissing. My back was against the wall, and Theo’s lips pressed on mine with so much urgency that my whole body answered by pressing against his.

I led him into my bedroom, both of us shedding clothes and leaving them on the floor. Then our bodies were pressed against each other again, warm skin on skin, tongues hot and desperate, hands everywhere.