Page 61 of When Love Is Unexpected

"What are you saying?" he asks.

"Sam, when you touch me, I melt. I love being with you. What that means long-term, I don't know, but who does? My sister thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with Justin, and he died before their fairy tale ever began."

He tries to back away, but I reach for his arm.

"Sam," I whisper, "please."

"Laila," he says, "what am I going to do with you?"

"I hope you will kiss me."

"You want me to kiss you," he says, raising his hand to the crook of my neck.

"Yes, Sam, I want you to kiss me."

He begins gently stroking my cheek and then my lips with his thumb. I put my hand on his shoulder and close my eyes when his lips finally press against mine. He gives me one, two, three light kisses before I move my hand from his shoulder and wrap it around his neck. I run my fingers through his thick, wavy hair while my lips beg his for more. My whole body responds when he finally gives in and deepens the kiss. This, this is a real kiss. His lips are warm, firm, and sweet. This is what wine must taste like because I feel drunk with the emotions exploding inside me.

When we end the kiss, I open my eyes and say, "You're right. You're definitely fluent in kissing."

He laughs and wraps his hands around my waist, lifting me off the counter.

"Is this my cue to leave?" I ask.

"I don't want you to leave," he says, "but it's late. Sharon must be waiting up for you."

"See you tomorrow," I say when he walks me to my car.

I wrap my arms around his middle and hug him like I've done hundreds of times before.

When he hugs me back, we stand in silence for a few seconds, enjoying the last hug we'll ever have as just friends. Deep down inside, we both know nothing will ever be the same again.

"Have a good night," he says, giving me a sweet kiss before opening my car door.

***

As soon as I get home, I pick up the phone and call Loren.

"I know it's late, Sis," I say as soon as she answers. "Sorry for waking you, but I just have to tell someone."

"What is it?" asks Loren, half asleep.

"Is everything okay?" I hear Aaron asking in the background.

"Tell him everything's fine," I say. "Are you ready for this?"

"It's Laila," Loren tells Aaron, "I'll only be a minute."

"Sam kissed me," I say. "Sam kissed me!"

"I'm happy for both of you," says Loren. "That's great. Now go to bed and have a safe trip tomorrow."

"I love you, Sis," I say.

"I love you too," she says.

Before she ends the call, I hear her tell Aaron, "Sam kissed her!"

Then I hear Aaron ask her, "Like this?"

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