"So, we're really doing this?" Her eyes danced with excitement and affection. "We're dating? Exclusively." She swallowed deeply. "You don’t regret last night?"

"Molly, the only thing I regret about last night is that it didn’t happen sooner," I told her. "That and the rum."

Her lips tipped upwards. "Well, they do say that rum is the devil's drink."

Keeping an arm slung around her back, I kept her chest welded to mine as I sank back into the mattress, needing a shower, painkillers, and a shit ton of water, but needing to keep this girl right with me that little bit more.

"Are you really hungover?"

"Yeah." Yawning, I nodded. "But it's my own damn fault for drinking half the bar last night."

"Are you going to tell your mom and Wretched about us?"

I stiffened, fucking horrified at the thought. "No," I forced myself to answer honestly. "It wouldn’t be a good idea."

"Because of that dumb fight our parents had back when we were kids?" she asked, sounding sad. "They still don’t want you to hang out with me?"

"Pretty much," I muttered, scrubbing a hand down my face.

"What was that fight even about, did you ever find out?"

Yes. "Nope. Are you gonna tell your dad about me?"

"Yeah." She nodded. "The next time he's back, I'm gonna tell him."

"He might forbid you from dating me."

"He wouldn’t do that, D."

"No?"

"No," she whispered, chewing on her lip. "He already knows we spend all of our spare time together. Dad might not like it, but he would never intentionally try to keep us apart."

Wanna bet?

"Hmm," was all I could muster in response.

"Promise you'll remember me, D."

I frowned. "What?"

"No matter what happens from here on out, or what happens after high school, promise that you'll never forget me."

"Can't forget my future, Molls."

"I'm being serious."

"And so am I." Pulling myself into a sitting position that forced her to straddle my lap, I gave her my full attention. "I love you, okay?" She had the sheets draped around her frail shoulders, subconsciously concealing her burns. "All of you. Every piece and every part." Leaning in close, I pressed a kiss to her collarbone. "That ain't changing." Reaching up, I stroked her cheek with my thumb. "The rest of it, we'll figure it out along the way."

"Wow." Her breath hitched and a shiver rolled through her tiny frame. "I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing you say that."

"Well, you better start trying," I replied, nuzzling her neck with my lips. "Because I plan on telling you frequently."

"What time is your family due back?" she asked then, our lips touching, as she leaned in close to me.

"Not until later tonight."

"So, we have the day?" A smile ghosted her lips. "Here? In your bed?"

"We have all the time in the world, Dolly."

34 Molly

Several hours – and several make-out sessions later – and we were still sprawled out in Daryl's twin bed, eating dry cereal from the box, and watching funny blooper videos on YouTube.