I stared at him. He didn’t say he’d stolen my first date. But he certainly seemed pleased that it was my first. And there was someone else that seemed fixated on stealing my first everything. I am so onto you, Jacob Miller. Or should I say...Kiss Thief?

Chapter 22 – A Real Shit Older Brother

Wednesday

Jacob grabbed my hand as we made our way back up to the school. No, I hadn’t kissed him. But I’d had so much fun on our date. And I just knew in my gut that he was my kiss thief.

He opened the door for me.

Lunch must have only just ended because the hallway was crowded.

“Thanks for the ice cream,” I said as he walked me to my locker. I wanted to pinch myself. How many times had I dreamed of a guy holding my hand and walking me to my locker? Well, not just some random guy. I’d always pictured Axel. But this reality was a lot better than some dumb dream. Yes, technically it had happened with Axel once last week. But that must have been some kind of weird older brother thing. I couldn’t believe he thought of me like a little sister.

“Any time,” Jacob said. “I’ll see you in coding class?”

I nodded.

He dropped my hand and disappeared into the crowded hallway.

Sophie popped out and squealed.

Where had she just been hiding?

“Were you two holding hands?!” She squealed again.

“Yes.”

“Ah! Tell me everything!”

“We had a really good time.” I smiled. “Like...really good.”

“Oh, did you do hand stuff under the table?” She waggled her eyebrows at me.

“What? No.”

She laughed. “Well you certainly look like you’re in a good mood.”

“Yeah, because Jacob is my kiss thief.”

“Really? Damn. He’s way kinkier than I thought he was.” She fanned her face. “You never can tell sometimes. So how was your second kiss?”

“We didn’t kiss, but...”

“Then how do you know he’s your kiss thief?”

“Because he mentioned red pandas. He confessed that he’s had a crush on me for like forever. And he liked being my first date.”

She just stared at me.

“First date. Because he said he was going to steal all my firsts.”

“Um...no. None of that proves anything. And I’m pretty sure your first date was with Axel at the zoo a bajillion years ago.”

I frowned. I didn’t think that really counted.

“And honestly? I’m kinda relieved we still don’t know. Because I just got our kiss thief trap approved.”

“Our what?”

Sophie laughed. “The kissing booth for Saturday’s game, silly.”

I groaned. “Sophie, it’s definitely Jacob.”

“That’s up for debate. Time for Operation Kissing Booth!”

“What if I kiss Jacob before Saturday and confirm it?”