Embarrassment flushes through me, steaming my insides. What in the world was I thinking? We’re sitting in broad daylight on a park bench, and I’m a relative stranger to this boy. Of course Anwar is not going to kiss me here, if he even wants to kiss me in the first place.

I put down my paper tray to give my hands something to do. When I turn back toward Anwar, I’m surprised to find him leaning in closer. His hand suddenly reaches out and holds my cheek, steadying my face. Electricity shoots out of his fingertips, shocking me into place.

Anwar’s lips come close to touching mine, but he hangs there for a few seconds. His eyes flicker up and down and I feel his breath on my lips. I have to fight the urge to gasp out loud.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for quite some time,” he finally says, holding himself back for another second. It’s just enough time for me to place my hand on the solid muscle of his chest.

Then Anwar kisses me.

And I am reduced to a puddle of a person.

This kiss might last a second or an hour, I cannot tell. But what I can already tell, without a shadow of a doubt?

Today is going to be an absolutely above-average day.

Click here

“Then let’s get moving,” Anwar says with a smile.

If he’s at all disappointed I asked to cut into our alone time, he certainly doesn’t show it. He just seems so… enthusiastic. It makes me wonder, as we start walking, if I owe him another warning about the detours our trip has taken.

“I know we’ve messaged about it a bit,” I start, “but if you’re really coming with us for the next leg of the trip, you should know—”

“Amelia, are you trying to talk me out of joining you?” Anwar asks. “Because if I’m intruding on your friend time, I don’t—”

“No!” I blurt. “It’s not that at all.”

“Then trust me when I say I couldn’t be more excited to meet your friends and get to hang a bit. With them… and especially with you.”

My cheeks feel flush, warming from the heat of Anwar’s words. “Then it’s settled. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

We round the next corner and end up finding Chase, Logan, and Cleo strolling toward us.

“Miss us already?” Chase asks, surprised.

“Anwar let me in on a local dessert secret, so I needed to report back. Cleo, you’re going to faint over how good these pancake balls are.”

Cleo gives me a smile, but it feels slightly dimmed. Or maybe distracted? She seems preoccupied studying Anwar, like she’s searching him for something.