Kiera looked lost in thought as we walked along the paths, and I wondered if she was thinking about our first time here at the festival, back when she’d been with Denny, and I’d merely been…keeping her occupied. Of course, it had been a lot more than that. I’d already been in love with her, although, I hadn’t admitted it to myself yet. I’d just known she was…special to me. And Kiera…I think she’d been falling for me too, during that time. Denny’s sudden departure when he’d left for work had crushed her spirit, and right or wrong, I’d helped her pick up the pieces, and in the process, wormed my way into her heart.

Griffin came up behind me and slapped me on the back, jolting me from my thoughts. Nodding back at Matt and his tiny, Latin-Asian girlfriend, Rachel, he said, “We’re gonna go check out some of the other bands. Comin’?”

I looked back at Evan and Jenny, but they were in their own little world, and clearly didn’t care about listening to bands at the moment. Kiera might though. While she always told me the D-Bags were better than anyone else, I think she liked hearing what other groups could do. Shifting my focus to her, I started to ask her if she wanted to go with Matt and Griffin, but her stomach answered before I could finish, rumbling with a growl loud enough for all of us to hear. Kiera closed her eyes, embarrassed, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her. She gave me a glare that was more cute than intimidating, and I laughed even harder.

Twisting back to Griffin, I told him, “I think we’ll get something to eat first. We’ll catch up with you later.”

Rachel, Matt, and Griffin took off to find entertainment, and I looked over at Kiera nestled in my side. “Should we get some food in you, Noisy?”

She looked so annoyed, I couldn’t help but lower my lips to hers. Then she didn’t look so annoyed anymore. Her passionate nature kicked in the second my tongue brushed against hers, and her hands reached up to fist my hair. I could feel her fast breath, could imagine her racing heart… The way she reacted to me ignited me, and I knew, if I didn’t put the brakes on this quick, we might end up in a very compromising position in a very public place. Not that I would mind if that happened. Kiera would though.

Not able to resist teasing her a little, I pulled away from her with a laugh; her hooded eyes almost drew me right back to her lips, but somehow, I managed to stop myself from caving into the temptation. “Do you need a minute?” I asked, enacting our old code for Let’s slow down.