Page 31 of Love Wasted

Two…

All of a sudden, the mouth I’ve been admiring is hovering over mine, waiting, wanting approval. The tiny distance between us is electrifying. It doesn’t matter. Stop…no…

One…

My name slips through his lips on a sigh, and it’s like an alarm sounding off in my brain. The New Year rings and Paxton leans in to seal the start of the year at the same time I take a step back, pulling away in the process.

He reaches for me. My lips tingle, feeling like I’ve been kissed. Paxton’s eyes are wide with disappointment, his mouth open slightly like he’s about to say something.

I shake my head, silent amidst the chaos all around me.

I turn on my heel and push my way through the crowd without looking back, wiping away any memory of the look on Paxton’s face the moment I walk away from him.

Looking forward, my gaze finally lands on Richard. He’s laughing and whistling along with everyone around him. He’s handsome, a different kind of familiar. Without another thought of what almost transpired seconds ago, I throw my arms around his neck, smashing my lips against his, taking him by surprise with a kiss that isn’t his. It only takes a moment for him to reciprocate. When he pulls away and looks down into my eyes, a grin spreads across his face. “Happy New Year!” He yells above the crowd then pulls me into a tight hug.

Feeling overwhelmed by emotions, I try to keep him from seeing them written on my face. I don’t need to see my expression to know I don’t have the look of a girl who just kissed the man she loves on New Year’s. My insides feel crushed, and I’m positive the ache I feel in my heart is written across my features. I’ll hide in his embrace for another moment. No one has to see. I don’t want anyone to see, especially Richard. Clenching my eyes shut, I allow myself to feel so I can let it go.

When Richard squeezes me tighter, I open my eyes again and rest my chin on his shoulder.

The light is bright and my vision is slightly blurred except for one person standing in the middle of the crowd, hands hanging at his side. The look on his face tells me he saw the kiss—his kiss—but how he really feels about it is indecipherable.

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