I chuckle. “That’s highly unlikely. You can’t just ask for it any more than I can hop into the ocean before the end of my Journey. But I promise by the time I go home, Dominic will have the sense knocked into him. And if it takes a kiss or two, whatever. It can’t be that big of a deal, right?” This pep talk is as much for Sean as it is for me. Kissing still sounds outrageously awkward. But I’m going to have to take the plunge eventually, so why not start now? Start small, at least.

I lean forward and kiss him on the cheek. It’s soft and scratchy all at the same time. Soft from his plump skin, and scratchy from the layer of dark stubble along his cheek. It makes my lips tingle, and I can’t stop myself from bringing a finger to my mouth.

Whoa. These tingles are similar to how it feels when something brushes against your fin, but in a much smaller, much more concentrated area. It’s intense.

Sean’s mouth drops into a shocked O. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“But really, no big deal, right?” I say, trying to seem totally nonchalant. I give Sean that playful tilt to my mouth, trying to come off all cool like the smirking emoji, but my lips are still full of the soft and titillating—I mean, totally weird and boring and not at all captivating—scratches on my lips. “But it seems to be doing the trick.”

Across the room, arms crossed over his chest while Miguel buys a bunch of candy, Dominic is staring right at us.

     Sean     

This plan is totally going to work. Dominic would not be shooting those daggers at us if he didn’t care that Ross just kissed me on the cheek. And seriously? That PG move gets this strong a reaction out of him? Just imagine what he’s going to do when Ross and I actually kiss.

“That was perfect,” I say when we make it to our seats. “If you were going to stick around in this town, I’d tell you to try being an actor. D totally bought it. Things will definitely pick back up between us by the pier fundraiser.”

“Good. Then I’ll be back home before you know it.”

“And I’ll be back with the person I’m meant to be with.” A whole montage’s worth of rom-com happy endings runs through my mind. Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally. I guess I’m in a Meg Ryan mood, and that’s fine by me.

I’m pulled out of mentally putting my face on Meg’s body when the lights dim and Ross grabs my hand, hard.

“What’s happening?” they say, their voice a panicked whisper.

I can’t help but laugh. This is genuine innocence.