Chapters (42)
“Peas.”
“Because of the texture?”
“Because they make me puke.”
“Noted.”
“Are you planning to make me dinner?” she asks with a cheeky grin.
“What if I were?”
“Then I’d volunteer to bring dessert.”
“Brownies?” I ask, hopeful.
“Maaaaybe.”
Meg’s hand swings close to mine, and I grab it. She bites her lip, looking away.
“Is this okay?” I check.
“I’m very new to this, Micah. I’ve never…”
“I know. Is this too much?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I really like you, Meg.”
She turns her face to mine. Her eyes are wide and searching. “I really like you, too. Probably too much for how little I know you. But I can’t help it. Every new thing I learn makes me like you more. That seems ridiculously lucky, doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not real.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I like when you hold my hand.”
“Okay.”
“I might want to kiss you, too.”
I swallow. We stop at the edge of a lakeside park, under a copse of trees. Meg licks her lips. My mouth waters.
“I’ve never kissed anyone before.”
“What if I kiss you? Would that be better?”
“Do you want to?”
“God, yes.”
She nods, and I step forward, reaching my hand to cup her face, letting my fingers tangle in the hair at the nape of her neck. Her skin is so soft and her eyes are so blue and her breath is so sweet, and before I can overthink it, I lean forward and press my lips to hers, taking her top one in between mine for a beat of one, two, three, before stepping back and checking.
“Was that okay?”
“More than. Can we do it again?”
“Anytime you want.”
She leans forward. “One more. For the road.” This time, she presses her lips to mine.