Page 181 of Summer After Summer

“I don’t think so. I think it’s way past time.”

He pulls me in again. His arms wrap around me, and his hands slip under my shirt and up my back, his fingers like fire on my skin.

I don’t know how long the kiss lasts—not enough time to make up for the past.

“We’re idiots, you and I,” I say when we break apart again.

“I agree.”

“We should get out of here.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“There’s a party at my house.”

He leans back. “Am I invited?”

“I think I can swing that. But I’m afraid we have to go somewhere else first.”

“Where’s that?”

“Your room.”

“Won’t that make us late?”

“Probably. But I’m willing to risk it if you are.”

He rubs his nose against mine. “I don’t want your father thinking badly of me.”

“Are you kidding, he loves you.”

“And you?”

“I love you, Fred.”

I kiss him again to prove it, to seal it, and when we break apart, he’s never looked so happy, not in all the time I’ve known him.

“I love you, Olivia.”

“That’s lucky.”

He reaches for my wrist and attaches the charm. “It will be.”

He kisses it in place, then me again for good measure. When we pull apart, I hold out my hand and he takes it.

“You really bought me my house?”

“I was hoping I’d get to live in it with you.”

“Really? Even before you saw me?”

“Well …”

“You can be honest.”

“I didn’t know what would happen. I wanted to help you. I knew I still loved you—”

“And you were dating Lucy.”

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