“You wore this for me tonight, didn’t you? And your glasses?” I groan into his skin, tugging on his shirt to pull him closer. Our thighs intertwine, heat building between us.

“I’m not telling you anything,” he chuckles. I nip lightly at his Adam’s apple as it bobs under my lips.

"This—" I lick a trail from the base of his collarbone to his jawline. "This should’ve been your first kiss."

He pants softly. "Really? Because I think we would've had a lot of explaining to do."

Grabbing a fistful of my hair, he pulls me back to his mouth.

Don’t mind if I do.

We kiss like we’ve waited our whole lives for it. Hell, I think we have. I lose track of time. My hands slide under his shirt, exploring his warm, rigid skin.

“We shouldn’t,” he breathes, pulling just far enough away for the words to come out. “Not here.”

“Oh, but we so should,” I pant, eyes flicking down to his puffy, bruised lips. “She wouldn’t mind.”

“You have a show,” he says, smiling. Our foreheads press together.

“Oh, fuck!” I laugh, turning toward the door. “I honestly forgot.”

“Mmm,” Nathaniel leans in, kissing me again—slowly this time. “We also have to talk.”

I close my eyes and breathe him in. I don’t want this to end. I’m not finished here. I don’t think I ever will be.

“Okay. Let’s talk after the show. Leave with me. Come to my apartment—Tony won’t be home tonight.” I bite my lip and pull him into me by the hips.

“Fine,” he says, smiling.

“Fine,” I echo, kissing him one last time before heading for the door. “I’ll be looking forward to that talk,” I call back, leaving him in Sarah’s apartment.

I can’t stop smiling the whole walk back to the rooftop.

I kissed Nathaniel Philips.

***

The rest of the night passes in a haze. For only having one drink, I feel completely drunk on life.

I scan the patio, watching Nathaniel talk to Sarah and his friend Theo.

Gripping the mic in my hand, I belt out the last note of the song. I love performing, but I’ve never wanted a set to end faster.

Nathaniel throws his head back laughing. His golden brown hair falls out of place, and I ache to run my fingers through it. He didn’t wear his backwards hat tonight, and it’s making things way too easy to imagine.

“Thanks for coming out tonight! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok at Airheads! Good night—we love you!” I shout into the mic.

The crowd cheers. I spot Nathaniel and Sarah clapping the loudest. My heart could burst.

Tony and the rest of the band come over, smiling, laughing, patting me on the back.

“I’m gonna need you to stay at Richard’s tonight,” I whisper to Tony with a wink.

He groans. “But his girlfriend scares me.”

I throw an arm around his shoulder. “Would you rather stay home and listen to me getting railed by that dude over there?” I nod toward Nathaniel.